In the decades since he began making work, Brisson has often been critically regarded as a commercial, decorative artist. His work has often been compared to Matisse, especially the cutouts, largely due to Brisson’s relentless exploration of floral motifs and his incredible facility with color. But his work has a much richer vocabulary, one that is reminiscent of Pompeian murals, engages the Classical exploration of the body and it modern iterations, and investigates the confusion between abstraction and representation. In his most recent body of work in the exhibition, he uses the mirror as a ground instead of board or canvas, further complicating the viewing process. Looking at images is a process of regarding and reflecting; mirrors literally reflect. They also introduce a degree of luminosity that enhances the intensity of the imagery in the paintings, and occasionally allowing the viewer to find himself incorporated into the work of art. This exhibition is intended to show his tremendous range over a roughly 25 years period and dispel the clichés that previously accompanied their reception. Matthew DRUTT Curator