Brian Kershisnik
BRIAN KERSHISNIK
The Balance 2015
oil on canvas
Courtesy of the Artist
“All of my work is a conscious or unconscious mythological autobiography” – Brian Kershisnik, 2019
Though this artwork does not directly depict the artist, like all of his works, it can be read as a mythological self-portrait. The painting portrays a man balancing a spoon on his nose, something that would be impossible in real life. What part of the artist’s life or identity do you think this painting represents? How does it relate to your life? Have you ever felt like you were balancing an impossible task or set of tasks?
The Balance 2015
oil on canvas
Courtesy of the Artist
“All of my work is a conscious or unconscious mythological autobiography” – Brian Kershisnik, 2019
Though this artwork does not directly depict the artist, like all of his works, it can be read as a mythological self-portrait. The painting portrays a man balancing a spoon on his nose, something that would be impossible in real life. What part of the artist’s life or identity do you think this painting represents? How does it relate to your life? Have you ever felt like you were balancing an impossible task or set of tasks?
BRIAN KERSHISNIK
Dead Mermaid 2015
oil on canvas
Courtesy of the Artist
A curious girl finds a dead mermaid washed up on the beach. She pokes the mythological beast to see if it will move. It is tragic to find proof of the magical and otherworldly only when it is dead.
What connections do you think this painting has to the artist’s identity? How have the tragedies and disappointments in your life affected your sense of self?
Dead Mermaid 2015
oil on canvas
Courtesy of the Artist
A curious girl finds a dead mermaid washed up on the beach. She pokes the mythological beast to see if it will move. It is tragic to find proof of the magical and otherworldly only when it is dead.
What connections do you think this painting has to the artist’s identity? How have the tragedies and disappointments in your life affected your sense of self?
BRIAN KERSHISNIK
Entertaining Angels Unawares 2012
oil on canvas
Courtesy of Private Collection
A woman performs an unbelievable feat; a group of angels watch amused. They take pleasure in watching our attempts, and sometimes failures, at trying impossible things.
What reactions do you see on the angels’ faces? Do you think the woman knows they are there? Why or why not? How does the painting reflect the artist’s identity?
Entertaining Angels Unawares 2012
oil on canvas
Courtesy of Private Collection
A woman performs an unbelievable feat; a group of angels watch amused. They take pleasure in watching our attempts, and sometimes failures, at trying impossible things.
What reactions do you see on the angels’ faces? Do you think the woman knows they are there? Why or why not? How does the painting reflect the artist’s identity?
BRIAN KERSHISNIK
Brian with fishes 2009
oil on panel
Courtesy of Private Collection
In this self-portrait Kershisnik depicts himself underwater with several golden fish swimming around. Water can symbolize life, and it can also symbolize depth, emotion, intuition, magic, and mystery. What do you think it symbolizes here?
Brian with fishes 2009
oil on panel
Courtesy of Private Collection
In this self-portrait Kershisnik depicts himself underwater with several golden fish swimming around. Water can symbolize life, and it can also symbolize depth, emotion, intuition, magic, and mystery. What do you think it symbolizes here?
BRIAN KERSHISNIK
We Were Artists in Danger 2010
oil on canvas
Courtesy of Private Collection
Brian Kershisnik and Fidalis Buehler, a fellow artist and friend, traveled to Baltimore to install a painting. While the artists worked, the owner left, leaving them alone with his huge black German shepherd. The dog came after the artists and the artists stood there, scared and in awe. Kershisnik remembers thinking, “it would be a privilege to be eaten by something so marvelous.”
Look for text on the painting. What kind of thoughts are the artists having? Have you had a similar experience? What did it feel like?
We Were Artists in Danger 2010
oil on canvas
Courtesy of Private Collection
Brian Kershisnik and Fidalis Buehler, a fellow artist and friend, traveled to Baltimore to install a painting. While the artists worked, the owner left, leaving them alone with his huge black German shepherd. The dog came after the artists and the artists stood there, scared and in awe. Kershisnik remembers thinking, “it would be a privilege to be eaten by something so marvelous.”
Look for text on the painting. What kind of thoughts are the artists having? Have you had a similar experience? What did it feel like?
BRIAN KERSHISNIK
The Rescue 2003
oil on board
Courtesy of the Artist
Brian Kershisnik painted this scene soon after he found out his dad had lung cancer. Another painting, a Mughal miniature (a style of Persian miniature painting developed during the Mughal Empire), inspired the composition. Due to spacing constraints, Kershisnik replaced one of the men in the original with a young boy. Which of these figures do you think represents the artist? Which represents his father? Which figure do you relate to?
Has someone you loved ever had to face something insurmountable? How did it make you feel? How would you depict that feeling in an artwork?
The Rescue 2003
oil on board
Courtesy of the Artist
Brian Kershisnik painted this scene soon after he found out his dad had lung cancer. Another painting, a Mughal miniature (a style of Persian miniature painting developed during the Mughal Empire), inspired the composition. Due to spacing constraints, Kershisnik replaced one of the men in the original with a young boy. Which of these figures do you think represents the artist? Which represents his father? Which figure do you relate to?
Has someone you loved ever had to face something insurmountable? How did it make you feel? How would you depict that feeling in an artwork?
BRIAN KERSHISNIK
Women not Sleeping 2010
oil on canvas
Courtesy of the Artist
“An artist’s work, if it has any use at all, needs to be inevitable, and not just intellectually intentional. Good work has meaning beyond the puny intentions of the artist. Keeping too much of the process of intention in your brain is an insulator, not an accelerator to the revelation or exploration of identity. Whether you are the artist or the viewer, if you cannot find your mythological self in the artwork, it is of little use.” – Brian Kershisnik, 2019
Kershisnik painted this work when several women in his life were having trouble sleeping. What else could the painting represent or symbolize? What personal experiences does it remind you of?
Women not Sleeping 2010
oil on canvas
Courtesy of the Artist
“An artist’s work, if it has any use at all, needs to be inevitable, and not just intellectually intentional. Good work has meaning beyond the puny intentions of the artist. Keeping too much of the process of intention in your brain is an insulator, not an accelerator to the revelation or exploration of identity. Whether you are the artist or the viewer, if you cannot find your mythological self in the artwork, it is of little use.” – Brian Kershisnik, 2019
Kershisnik painted this work when several women in his life were having trouble sleeping. What else could the painting represent or symbolize? What personal experiences does it remind you of?
BRIAN KERSHISNIK
Waiting 2016
oil on canvas
Courtesy of the Artist
Most of our life happens in the “in-between,” the times and seasons between life-altering events. The couple in this painting is there right now, waiting for dinner to be ready. Kershisnik elevates their everyday experience by painting this in-between moment on a grand scale.
Imagine you could read minds. What do you think the figures in the painting are thinking about? How have in-between moments like these shaped your life?
Waiting 2016
oil on canvas
Courtesy of the Artist
Most of our life happens in the “in-between,” the times and seasons between life-altering events. The couple in this painting is there right now, waiting for dinner to be ready. Kershisnik elevates their everyday experience by painting this in-between moment on a grand scale.
Imagine you could read minds. What do you think the figures in the painting are thinking about? How have in-between moments like these shaped your life?
BRIAN KERSHISNIK
Madonna and Child with Saints Fixing a Bicycle 2008
oil on board
Courtesy of the Artist
Faith and religion are important to Brian Kershisnik and this work grapples with what it means to him to be a “saint.” The saints in this painting are at work. For Kershisnik it is critical that the saints are doing and not just adoring. For him, the aspiration of trying to be a saint is to help, even when it might seem trivial.
Madonna and Child with Saints Fixing a Bicycle 2008
oil on board
Courtesy of the Artist
Faith and religion are important to Brian Kershisnik and this work grapples with what it means to him to be a “saint.” The saints in this painting are at work. For Kershisnik it is critical that the saints are doing and not just adoring. For him, the aspiration of trying to be a saint is to help, even when it might seem trivial.
BRIAN KERSHISNIK
Studio 2016
oil on canvas on panel
Courtesy of Private Collection
This piece depicts the artist at work in one of the most straightforward self-portraits in this exhibition. What can you learn about the artist from his studio space and working methods? What details do you notice? What hobbies, jobs, or talents are part of your identity?
Studio 2016
oil on canvas on panel
Courtesy of Private Collection
This piece depicts the artist at work in one of the most straightforward self-portraits in this exhibition. What can you learn about the artist from his studio space and working methods? What details do you notice? What hobbies, jobs, or talents are part of your identity?
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