About The Artist
Born in Belfast N Ireland during the conflict, Brians childhood and early adult life became shaped by the images of war that he witnessed on a daily basis. Wounded several times he came to the US in 1998. He joined the US military in Jan 2001 and then 9 11 happened. He served 12 years, including three major Operaiions and overseas service. He medically retired from the military, injured, in 2013 and has been panting since.
His work is soaked in the burden of memory and he uses art as a way to heal. Art not pills, creativity over suicide, pushing the message for all veterans to reach into their inner selves and control the nightmares. Each piece is another step in physically controlling all that he has seen and been through.
His unique style of physically mixing the paint with only his hands on canvas using the organic remnants of war..dirt, tar, oil, ash, wire, stones, nails, metal and bullet casings returns him to the moment of trauma. When he finishes he stands triumphant over his work spiritually, emotionally, mentally. ..resilient and proud.
He has shown all over the US,including Art Expo NY and Spectrum IndianWells. He has been selected to show in the new National Museum of the United States Army opening in 2017.
brianrockart.vpweb.com