Artist Talk | Kelsey Brookes | Athenaeum Music & Arts Library

The Athenaeum and Murals of La Jolla present Kelsey Brookes, with a special presentation of his career, process, recent projects, and 2014 mural One Pointed Attention for Murals of La Jolla. The reception begins at 6 p.m., followed by an artist talk at 6:30 p.m.

Kelsey Brookes’ mural, One Pointed Attention, engages the viewer in a mesmerizing vision scape. His distinctive use of color and line creates a portal into an intriguing and transcendent visual experience. The undulating patterns evoke a sense of calm contemplation while also creating a more cerebral and psychological effect. His work often embodies a metaphysical and otherworldly state. The scale of One Pointed Attention allows the viewer to feel absorbed into the pulsating aura Brookes has created.

Kelsey Brookes’ unique painting practice combines color and pattern-making with a comprehensive knowledge of biochemistry. Brookes was born in 1978 in Denver, Colorado. He attended Colorado State University where he studied biochemistry and pursued life as a scientist. In 2005, he left the sciences to become a full-time artist. Brookes combines a strong understanding of science with painterly skill to create colorful, highly-detailed paintings that depict the molecular structure of drug compounds, molecules, and atoms to play with sensory perception. Often starting with a central focal point, his work radiates out through precise pattern and repetition spreading across the entirety of the canvas.

Brookes has had solo exhibitions in La Jolla, Los Angeles, New York, Detroit, London, and Berlin. His work was featured as the cover art for the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ 2012 “I’m With You” 7-inch records and The Flaming Lips’ 2013 “Stone Roses” LP. His work resides in many private collections, as well as the public permanent collections of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego; the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Arkansas; and the Frederick R. Weisman Foundation, Los Angeles. Brookes lives and works in San Diego, California.

Mural Members and Makers attend FREE and will receive an email to RSVP for the lecture.

The lecture will be in person at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. There are no physical tickets for this event. Your name will be on an attendee list at the front door. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Seating is first-come; first-served. This event will be presented in compliance with State of California and County of San Diego health regulations as applicable at the time of the lecture.