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| every little thing Acrylic on canvas :: 66 x 40" :: 2010 |
| weapons of mass marketing Acrylic on canvas :: 72 x 66" :: 2010 |
| jayejeanne Acrylic & Elmer's Glue on canvas :: 36 x 48" :: 2010 |
| untitled Acrylic on canvas :: 55 x 36" :: 2010 |
| When It All Falls Down Colored pencil on bristol :: 18 x 24" :: 2005 |
| OBAMA Digital (Corel Painter) :: 2009 |
| PITA Oil on cavas :: 18 x 24" :: 2008 |
| Frankie Velez Presents Brian Kirhagis |
Originally from Baltimore, New York based artist Brian Kirhagis discovered his calling at
an early age. From the very first time he picked up a pencil, it was evident that he
possessed a unique style and natural ability to capture the world around him.
His first opportunity to develop his skills and learn traditional techniques came as a
junior in high school. Introduced to canvas and paint for the first time, BK flourished
over his final two years, and upon graduation, had received the top honors in the art
department.
However, he realized the difficulty and uncertainty associated with a career as an artist.
Brian wanted something he could fall back on, and even eventually use to support his
art. He left for New York in 2001 to attend Hofstra University for Graphic Design
After graduation, Brian founded Brikwork Studios, a full service graphic/web design
company. Determination and good fortune led to some lucrative accounts, and Brian
was able to sustain and get by. Working around the clock, BK would design and paint,
switching back and forth from mac to canvas at a fervent pace, driven largely by the
fear of having to get a job and losing the ability to work on his art freely. The line
between artist and designer became blurred and it was only a matter of time before
design clients became aware of his paintings. Soon they were purchasing websites and
branding packages, as well as paintings for their office.
The ability to cross promote his art to design clients turned the studio into a factory;
constantly producing new work on both platforms. As the company grew, he used his
spare time and money to invest and focus on his art. In March 2007, Brian founded his
second company, BK The Artist, Inc. and began pursuing a career full time.
an early age. From the very first time he picked up a pencil, it was evident that he
possessed a unique style and natural ability to capture the world around him.
His first opportunity to develop his skills and learn traditional techniques came as a
junior in high school. Introduced to canvas and paint for the first time, BK flourished
over his final two years, and upon graduation, had received the top honors in the art
department.
However, he realized the difficulty and uncertainty associated with a career as an artist.
Brian wanted something he could fall back on, and even eventually use to support his
art. He left for New York in 2001 to attend Hofstra University for Graphic Design
After graduation, Brian founded Brikwork Studios, a full service graphic/web design
company. Determination and good fortune led to some lucrative accounts, and Brian
was able to sustain and get by. Working around the clock, BK would design and paint,
switching back and forth from mac to canvas at a fervent pace, driven largely by the
fear of having to get a job and losing the ability to work on his art freely. The line
between artist and designer became blurred and it was only a matter of time before
design clients became aware of his paintings. Soon they were purchasing websites and
branding packages, as well as paintings for their office.
The ability to cross promote his art to design clients turned the studio into a factory;
constantly producing new work on both platforms. As the company grew, he used his
spare time and money to invest and focus on his art. In March 2007, Brian founded his
second company, BK The Artist, Inc. and began pursuing a career full time.
Largely self taught, Brian developed his technique through countless hours of
experimentation in the studio. As a graphic designer, Brian spent a great deal of time
manipulating pixels in photoshop and scouring the internet for stock photography. By
understanding the core principles of marketing and advertising, combined with the
constant exposure to the digital world, BK discovered what his art would be about. He
strived to create art undeniably from the human hand, imperfect, splashed with the
realities of life for his generation. In a world of 400 megapixel cameras and 70" high def
cinema displays, it seemed pointless to re-create what computers could do so easily.
BK began using double images and hidden elements in his work, allowing for complex
compositions with deeply symbolic meanings. Over the next few years, Brian Kirhagis
emerged on the contemporary art scene with his raw, uncut style. With exhibits in
Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau County, Manhattan, and Southampton, he had firmly
established himself in the NY art world.
During an exhibition in Brooklyn, BK decided to paint live at the gallery, and invite
people to come up and paint with him. They could pick any color, any brush, and paint
whatever they wanted. He would eventually transform their strokes into a painting,
using what they did as the basis for the composition. It was a hit, and live interactive
painting was born.
Armed with a new ability to connect with the audience, BK began painting live at
numerous venues including the Darryl Strawberry Foundation Celebrity Golf
Tournament for Autism, where he painted alongside the athletes and celebrities,
creating a work of art based off of their participation. The finished piece went to auction
where it sold as the second highest earning item of the evening, and helped raise
several thousand dollars for charity.
Shortly after the event, BK was contacted by Steiner Sports Memorabilia and
commissioned for several projects, including paintings to be autographed by New York
sports icons like Derek Jeter, Lawrence Taylor, and Ahmad Bradshaw, and 185 hand
painted baseball bats for "Last Licks", a sports themed ice cream parlor on 93rd street
in NYC.
experimentation in the studio. As a graphic designer, Brian spent a great deal of time
manipulating pixels in photoshop and scouring the internet for stock photography. By
understanding the core principles of marketing and advertising, combined with the
constant exposure to the digital world, BK discovered what his art would be about. He
strived to create art undeniably from the human hand, imperfect, splashed with the
realities of life for his generation. In a world of 400 megapixel cameras and 70" high def
cinema displays, it seemed pointless to re-create what computers could do so easily.
BK began using double images and hidden elements in his work, allowing for complex
compositions with deeply symbolic meanings. Over the next few years, Brian Kirhagis
emerged on the contemporary art scene with his raw, uncut style. With exhibits in
Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau County, Manhattan, and Southampton, he had firmly
established himself in the NY art world.
During an exhibition in Brooklyn, BK decided to paint live at the gallery, and invite
people to come up and paint with him. They could pick any color, any brush, and paint
whatever they wanted. He would eventually transform their strokes into a painting,
using what they did as the basis for the composition. It was a hit, and live interactive
painting was born.
Armed with a new ability to connect with the audience, BK began painting live at
numerous venues including the Darryl Strawberry Foundation Celebrity Golf
Tournament for Autism, where he painted alongside the athletes and celebrities,
creating a work of art based off of their participation. The finished piece went to auction
where it sold as the second highest earning item of the evening, and helped raise
several thousand dollars for charity.
Shortly after the event, BK was contacted by Steiner Sports Memorabilia and
commissioned for several projects, including paintings to be autographed by New York
sports icons like Derek Jeter, Lawrence Taylor, and Ahmad Bradshaw, and 185 hand
painted baseball bats for "Last Licks", a sports themed ice cream parlor on 93rd street
in NYC.
In 2008, Hurley Surf Company sponsored an exhibition of Brian's work in Chelsea. The after party was held at Velour Lounge NYC,
where he would form an integral connection that continues to this day. BK has a permanent, rotating exhibition of his artwork at the
lounge, where he hosts live interactive paintings events every couple of months.
The paintings on display at the lounge have generated praise and notoriety, leading sony music to invite BK to paint live and hold an
exhibition of his work at the John Legend and The Roots album release party. He was also invited to exhibit and paint live with cancer
survivors at Queens Hospital Center, where the finished painting remains as part of the permanent collection. His paintings were
featured on MTV's Spring Break 2010, and one of his works, "The Root of All Evil" was published in a theology textbook for
Cambridge University in the United Kingdom.
Already compared to some of art's heavyweights, BK has only begun to scratch the surface. He continues to challenge himself and
push the envelope, evolving as an artist and individual; motivated to use his gift as a tool to heighten awareness about social
inequalities, racial division, and generational flaws. He states that art is a language that, when spoken correctly, has a unique ability
to build bridges where words fall short.
where he would form an integral connection that continues to this day. BK has a permanent, rotating exhibition of his artwork at the
lounge, where he hosts live interactive paintings events every couple of months.
The paintings on display at the lounge have generated praise and notoriety, leading sony music to invite BK to paint live and hold an
exhibition of his work at the John Legend and The Roots album release party. He was also invited to exhibit and paint live with cancer
survivors at Queens Hospital Center, where the finished painting remains as part of the permanent collection. His paintings were
featured on MTV's Spring Break 2010, and one of his works, "The Root of All Evil" was published in a theology textbook for
Cambridge University in the United Kingdom.
Already compared to some of art's heavyweights, BK has only begun to scratch the surface. He continues to challenge himself and
push the envelope, evolving as an artist and individual; motivated to use his gift as a tool to heighten awareness about social
inequalities, racial division, and generational flaws. He states that art is a language that, when spoken correctly, has a unique ability
to build bridges where words fall short.
Frankie Velez Presents
PROLOGUE
A Solo Exhibition by Brian Kirhagis
OPENING RECEPTION:
Friday, November 18th, 2011
7-10pm
EXHIBITION DATES:
November 18th – December 7th 2011
Phantom Audio
48 West 25th street | 10th Floor (bet. 5th and 6th Ave.)
Manhattan, NY
PROLOGUE
A Solo Exhibition by Brian Kirhagis
OPENING RECEPTION:
Friday, November 18th, 2011
7-10pm
EXHIBITION DATES:
November 18th – December 7th 2011
Phantom Audio
48 West 25th street | 10th Floor (bet. 5th and 6th Ave.)
Manhattan, NY