Rose Brawn’s “Breaking Cycles” Opens August 1 at First National Bank Gallery in Olean
Rose Brawn’s “Breaking Cycles” Opens August 1 at First National Bank Gallery in Olean
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OLEAN - On August 1st, Rose Brawn’s “Breaking Cycles” show will open at the First National Bank Art Studios and Lobby Gallery in Olean. An opening reception will be held from 5:00-7:00pm and will feature a live performance/demonstration by Rose Brawn starting at 6:00pm.
Brawn’s art is a combination of painting and sculpture which explores the human experience through color and form. “I use various tools to ‘paint’ or mark the paper, and then rip paintings to represent the wounds of life’s challenges. I glue the piece back together forming metallic scars of healing,” Brawn states.
Born with a birth defect that affected her health in numerous ways, Brawn took refuge in art and creativity where she could get lost in her imagination. “Breaking Cycles embodies ideas of tearing apart and healing back together - seeing the beauty inherent in yourself, despite the exhausting series of arduous events and demands that life presents. Brawn’s work leaps off the wall, inviting the viewer to get lost in her cosmic aesthetic composed of layered colors and textures.
Although originally from the deep south, Rose Brawn has been creating art in the Olean area for the past several years, participating in several group shows at the Tri-County Arts Council in Olean. Before coming to the Olean area, she received her BFA in Printmaking from SUNY New Paltz, and worked for the Al Loving Artist Estate for over 15 years. She gives credit to Al Loving for her love of abstract art, taking inspiration from his use of materials such as acrylics on paper. She developed her own voice over time, creating her ripping technique and using 3-dimensional shapes to play with shadow and depth.
Despite personal challenges, Brawn’s work communicates a sense of optimism that life “can be punctuated with pure kindnesses, simple pleasures and inspiring beauty.”
“If we can learn to integrate our lessons,” Brawn says, “then maybe we will be able to find a beautiful wholeness.”
Breaking Cycles by Rose Brawn will be available for viewing August 1-30, 2025 at the First National Bank Building, 101 N Union St., Olean, NY. To learn more about the artist, go to rose brawn.com. For more on the First National Bank Studios and Lobby Gallery of artistic studios, go to fnbas.com. The studios are open to the public Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11:00am-4:00pm or by appointment. The program was created and funded by ChaShaMa with the generous support of Savarino Properties.