Justin Brennan Biography

Justin Brennan is a contemporary abstract painter and mixed media artist based in Cleveland, Ohio. While he has always been drawn to art, Brennan became serious about his practice in 2005. Largely self-taught, his approach has been shaped by years of exploration, experimentation, and a commitment to learning through trial and error.

Brennan’s work is held in numerous private collections across the U.S. and internationally. His paintings have been featured in CAN Journal, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Canvas Magazine, Studio Visit Magazine (Volume 50), and New American Paintings (Issue 167). He regularly participates in solo, two-person, juried exhibitions, and art fairs throughout the country.

EXHIBITIONS

Solo Exhibitions

  • 2012, Buddies,Brandt Gallery, Cleveland, OH
  • 2012, Cause and Affect , Rotten Meat Gallery, Cleveland, OH
  • 2013, Collection of Past and Present Works, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
  • 2016, Turbulence, Maria Neil Art Project , Cleveland, OH
  • 2017, No Expectations. HEDGE Gallery, Cleveland, OH
  • 2019, Ego, BAY arts,. Bay Village, OH
  • 2021, General Maintenance. HEDGE Gallery, Cleveland. OH
  • 2023, Wide Eyed, HEDGE Gallery, Cleveland, OH 

 Art Fairs

  • 2015 NOADA ARTexpo, Transformer Station, Cleveland, OH
  • 2018, The Other Art Fair, Saatchi Art, Brooklyn NY
  • 2019, The Other Art Fair, Saatchi Art, Brooklyn NY
  • 2021,  The Other Art Fair, Saatchi Art, Brooklyn NY

Two Person and Collaborative Exhibitions

  • 2011, Juxtaposition Collaboration with Chris Kaspar, Brandt Gallery, Cleveland, OH
  • 2014, Get it Together with Deb Lawrence, CWAL at 78th Street Studios, Cleveland, OH
  • 2014, Mixed Bag with Melinda Placko, Gallery One Sixty, Cleveland, OH
  • 2014, Present Ghosts with Joshua Rex, Survival Kit Gallery, 78th Street Studios, Cleveland, OH
  • 2021, Figural Allusions, Malone University Galleries, Canton, OH

Juried and Invitational Exhibitions

  • 2011, Against the Grain, Sandusky Cultural Center, Sandusky, OH
  • 2011, Six in the Studio, 78th Street Studios, Cleveland, OH
  • 2013, Then and Now, Naji Gallery, Cleveland, OH
  • 2014, Eye of the Beholder, Bay Arts, Bay Village, OH
  • 2015, The May Show, Lakeland Community College, Kirtland, OH
  • 2015, The Drawing Show:From Doodles to Digital, Ursuline College, Florence O’ Donnell 
  • Wasmer Gallery, Pepper Pike, OH
  • 2019, CAN Triennial, Cleveland, OH
  • 2021, Summer Invitational, Parlor Gallery, Asbury Park, NJ
  • 2022, Portraiture, Chicago Truborn, Chicago, IL
  • 2022, You Are Here, CAN Triennial, Cleveland, OH

PUBLICATIONS

  • Featured Artwork
  • 2009 Lakewood Observer, Lakewood, OH
  • 2010, Cleveland Scene Magazine, Cleveland, OH
  • 2011, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cleveland, OH
  • 2012, Sandusky Register, Sandusky, OH2017 
  • 2017, Canvas Magazine , Cleveland, OH
  • 2017, CAN Journal, Cleveland, OH
  • 2020, CAN Journal, Cleveland, OH
  • 2021 Studio Visit Magazine Vol 50, Open Studio Press
  • 2023 New American Paintings, No. 167. Open Studio Press 

EDUCATION

  • 1994-1996 Kent State University, Kent, OH
  • Studied Fine Art

 REPRESENTATION

  • 2016- present, Hedge Gallery, Clevevland, OH

Contact: jbrennanart76@gmail.com