Gallery Review: Jeanine Brito at Nicodim Gallery

Written By Valerie Auersperg

By Emma Hapner, July 3, 2024

With the temperatures soaring here in New York City, I took the time to engage in my favorite summer activity to escape the heat: gallery hopping. While wandering through Tribeca on my quest to find some free air conditioning, I came across an incredible solo exhibition by Jeanine Brito at Nicodim Gallery titled, The Grumpy Girls. Brito sets the stage with a cast of characters, all displayed in their full, cinematic glory, theatrically costumed against a rich backdrop that hints at a stage set, in lush tones of green with a vivid cherry red appearing throughout the show, unifying the world she has created.

Jeanine Brito, born in 1993 in Germany, currently resides and practices as a painter in Toronto, Canada. Her artistic exploration delves into the realms of memory and desire, presented through a theatrical and surrealist lens. As a self-taught artist, Brito draws upon her background in graphic design to enrich her work with a distinct understanding of color and composition. Her pieces often feature smooth, saturated surfaces juxtaposed with elements reminiscent of photographic framing.

It was nearly impossible to choose my favorite moment out of all the pieces in this show. Each painting is incredibly rich in detail and symbolism, and is incredibly well designed. Every square inch of canvas is carefully planned and beautifully executed. The theatrical elements, like the heavy red curtain, the landscape backdrops, costumes, and exaggerated makeup of each character alludes to a narrative that we can only guess at, but that entices us to look closer.

The highly stylized, flattened planes of color are reminiscent of work from the medieval period, further emphasized by the focus on tactile drapery and iconographic imagery. Additionally, Brito depicts reflective surfaces; glass carafes, satin ribbon, and latex gloves, with a highly effective simplicity that reveals her design background. Her austere forms are subtly modeled, and finished with porcelain-like highlights. This meticulous approach enhances the believability of various surfaces, from the intricacies of hair and fur to the smoothness of pearls and the sheen of metal. The combination of medieval-inspired stylization with contemporary themes and precise craftsmanship creates a compelling tension in Brito's work. It invites viewers to explore narratives that are both timeless and modern, offering a visual language that resonates with historical echoes, yet existing independently, in a fantasy world of Brito’s creation.

Brito explores themes of identity and femininity through symbolic compositions that intertwine her own image, echoing the introspective spirit reminiscent of Frida Kahlo's iconic self-portraits. Each character in her lineup seems to represent a different part of herself, from the partially nude siren-like figure introduced in her piece, Opening Night, to the more matronly pregnant figure wielding her scissors, or cradling a lamb’s head. All four cast members of this fantastical production share not only the same face, but the same doll-like stage makeup and red latex opera gloves. Braids also seem to play a significant role in the narrative, intertwining compositions, framing scenes, and even swooping through the background, like ropes on a set. This recurring motif is particularly intriguing. Braids can symbolize unity, strength, or even restraint, depending on the context. In Brito's work, they seem to serve as both a visual framing device and a symbolic element that ties together different scenes or characters within her fantastical production. Overall, the imagery evokes powerful symbols that could represent various stages or roles within her own life or psyche.

Jeanine Brito's background and artistic approach provide a fascinating context for understanding her work in The Grumpy Girls exhibition. Brito's background in graphic design is evident in her careful consideration of color and composition. The use of smooth, saturated surfaces and elements reminiscent of photographic framing indicates a deliberate aesthetic approach. This attention to visual detail enhances the storytelling within her artworks, allowing for a nuanced interplay between form and content. The way she intertwines her own image into these compositions suggests a bold introspection, where each character in her lineup serves as a facet of her own identity. Brito's approach blends personal symbolism with theatrical flair, inviting viewers to delve into a world where femininity and personal mythology are vividly explored through a rich visual language. This is, by far, my favorite show I’ve seen this year, and was so incredibly inspiring. It had me running back to my studio, filled with the insatiable desire to pick up my paint brush and create a world I can only hope is half as mesmerizing as Jeanine Brito’s Grumpy Girls.

Valerie Auersperg https://valerism.com
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