She left London because her paintings seemed hopelessly unfashionable compared to the audacious works of the Young British Artists (YBAs). Now, she’s back with a blockbuster exhibition, and the art world appears to have finally embraced her unique perspective.
It’s often stated that Cecily Brown departed London in the early 1990s due to the overwhelming presence of the YBAs. Yet, she laughs at the notion that she intended to flee from them. “In reality, I held immense admiration for the art being created back then; I simply wasn’t aligned with their artistic direction.” While artists like Damien Hirst were famously submersing dead animals in formaldehyde and Sarah Lucas provocatively consumed bananas for the camera, Brown steadfastly wielded a palette and brush.
“There was a prevalent sentiment in London at the time that if you were a painter, you were considered a failure. In New York, however, I didn’t feel like such a ‘saddo’ for pursuing painting.”
Given her current stature, one might expect her return to be nothing short of triumphant. In her twenties, she was signed by the prestigious mega-gallery Gagosian, and her acclaimed works are now proudly featured in the collections of MoMA and the Tate. Recent accolades include a significant retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum in New York.
Her paintings – intricate, nuanced canvases rich in evocative allusions and rewarding a patient, in-depth gaze – now command millions, solidifying her status as one of the most valuable living female artists.