"Edge of Town 14"

John Brosio
Edge of Town 14
Edition of 50
16" x 18" 
Signed, Titled, and Numbered by John.

Printed with ultraChrome Pro 12 archival pigment inks on Hahnemühle Photo Rag Bright White, 310 gsm, 100% cotton paper.

John Brosio’s oil paintings blend the surreal with the mundane, creating epic scenes where oversized creatures like crows, dinosaurs, and tornadoes tower over calm suburban settings. His work also features strange narratives, such as brides emerging from UFOs and skeletons mingling with oblivious humans, reflecting the eerie undercurrents of suburban life. Brosio’s art offers a unique, modern mythology, capturing the absurdity and unease of American culture.

Growing up in Pasadena, California, Brosio was deeply influenced by cinema, with films like Star Wars, Godzilla, and The Wizard of Oz shaping his vision. His interest in special effects even led him to intern at George Lucas’s Industrial Light and Magic. This cinematic influence is evident in his paintings, which often feature dramatic, looming figures that represent larger societal issues—like environmental destruction and economic corruption—lurking in the background of everyday life.

Brosio’s fascination with science, particularly cosmology and the concept of the universe as a simulation, further shapes his work. He draws inspiration from Carl Sagan and concepts like the Holographic Principle, blending science and fiction into his art. His love for tornadoes, which he sees as a mix of mythology and science, reflects this balance between reality and imagination.

Stylistically, Brosio's paintings resemble film sets, with two-dimensional cut-outs and childlike drawings superimposed on more realistic backgrounds. He credits mentors like Wayne Thiebaud for teaching him the importance of continually learning to see. Brosio’s work challenges viewers to reconsider the structures around them, inviting a deeper reflection on society’s path forward.

Born in 1967 in Pasadena, Brosio earned a BFA from the University of California, Davis, and later studied at the Art Center College of Design. His work has been exhibited across the U.S. and in Hong Kong, and has been featured in publications like VICE, Huffington Post, and Juxtapoz. He continues to live and work in Pasadena.