Trevor Brown (1959) is an English artist who has been living and working in Japan since 1994. His provocative subject matter seems to instantly divide its audience, in two groups, lovers and haters. Brown uses strong contrasts in his work; dark (bondage, injury, swastikas, etc.) versus light (cuteness, innocence, pre pubescent girls, stuffed animals,etc.). His opposed attitude and love for controversy is grounded in the punk ethos of the late 70’s Britain when he came of age.
Fig.1.
Kawaii
In the perception of the superficial Western observer Brown’s work can easily be pushed into the light of pedophile glorification. But his art is actually a counter reaction to the Japanese cultural phenomenon called Kawaii (literally translated ‘cute’ or ‘sweet’), that represents the culture of cuteness in Japan. This has probably to do with the desired effort of the Japanese to cherish the childlike behavior inside of them.
Fetish Eye Masks
In Brown’s universe the cute little girls have black eyes, bruised or bloody mouths, and are rigged with medical instruments. They look at us with their big manga eyes and share their deep sad melancholy sometimes emphasized by fetish eye masks. This direct contrast enhances the force of Trevor Brown’s imagery into an outlandish importance that is difficult to resist.
Fig.2.
Japanese Adolescent Female
Although his work is mainly bought by Western collectors, Brown is among the few Western artists who also succeeded in building an art career in Japan. The typical Trevor Brown fan is a young Japanese adolescent female. There are even Japanese websites and blogs where numerous female fans mimic the scenarios and poses of the heroines in his paintings.
Nazis Are Sexy
Probably Brown’s most (in)famous series is Li’l Miss Sticky Kiss and in particular the painting Nazis are Sexy (Fig.3). It shows a pre-pubescent girl with a swollen black eye, dressed as a SM mistress wearing a peaked cap and a costume with a large swastika on it, while holding a concentration-camp Doberman. Some critics assumed the black eye is evidence of child abuse. In an earlier interview Brown reacts,’Who said she was a victim of child abuse?’ ‘How do people immediately come to that conclusion? They are making the sinister associations, not me — yet I get the blame for them! You want to make people think or affect them. To that end I do consciously make my work ambiguous and open to misinterpretation , deliberately sending out conflicting messages.’
Fig.3. ‘Nazis are Sexy, Li’l Miss Sticky Kiss‘ (2002)
Special Facts
In the past, Brown designed record covers for controversial underground artists such as G.G. Allin, John Zorn and Deicide.
His work is sometimes confused with that of the Pop Surrealist Mark Ryden (Fig.4).
He has been banned for life by Paypal after a person complained to them about his work. They immediately without warning closed his account after deeming his work to be pornography involving minors.
Unlike Paypal, we try to look further and do give this artist a stage. Judge for yourself…
Fig.4. ‘Nurse Sue’ (2006) by Mark Ryden
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Fig.9. ‘Shrinkwrapped‘
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Fig.11. ‘Saint Sebastianna’, Rubber Doll‘ (2005) Oil
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Fig.13. ‘Crash Ballet’, Rubber Doll‘ (2005) Oil
Fig.14. ‘Balloon girl‘ (2018), Oil
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Fig.16. ‘Sad Eyes’, La Nursery Noire‘ (2017), Oil
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Fig.18. ‘Julia Dream’, La Nursery Noire‘ (2018), Oil
Fig.19. ‘Alice Kowai’, Trevor Brown’s Alice‘ (2007)
Fig.20. ‘Alice Kurai’, Trevor Brown’s Alice‘ (2008), Oil
Fig.21. ‘Dumpty’, Trevor Brown’s Alice‘ (2008), Oil
Fig.22. ‘Seppuku’, Girls War‘ (2009), Oil
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Fig.25. ‘Nurunuru‘ (2017)
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Fig.28. ‘Girl on Toilet’, Evil / Forbidden Fruit‘ (1995), Airbrush
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Fig.30. ‘Caterpillar Garden’, Trevor Brown’s Alice‘ (2009), Oil
Fig.31. ‘Rubber Duck‘
Fig.32. ‘Medical Bondage‘ (1992) (Source: babyart.krowndesign.com)
Fig.33. ‘Pregnant Enema‘ (1993) (Source: babyart.krowndesign.com)
Fig.34. ‘Piss Princess’. Girl’s War‘ (2011), Oil (Source: babyart.krowndesign.com)
Fig.35. ‘Survivalist’, Girls War‘ (2012), Oil (Source: babyart.krowndesign.com)
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Fig.45. ‘Girl’s sanctuary Vol.2: jumping and running” online exhibition at mauve gallery (July 22 to 30 2021)
Fig.46. ‘Girl’s Praise‘ (2020)
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Fig.49. ‘Uka‘ (2020)
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You can check out more of Brown’s art on the artist’s site or his Instagram account..!!
Sources: shockblast.net, prince-karyu.tumblr.com, INSIDE Artzine, yknow-interviews.blogspot.com/
What do you think about the disturbing ‘doll’ pieces of Trevor Brown? Leave your reaction in the comment box below…!!