A study in contradictions, Hard Candy underscores the struggle of preservation. With a hard exterior and a soft heart, Brian “Dovie” Golden relates to the sweet treat, calling attention to the internal strife caused by human duality. Thinkspace Projects continues their ongoing relationship with the visual artist, presenting their fourth solo show together, and the largest to date for both the artist himself and the partnership. Unising painting and drawing to better understand issues of identity, race, gender, and mental health, the Chicago-based African American contemporary artist attempts to reconcile the harsh realities of life.
Golden wields thought-provoking, emotionally-charged portraiture and abstract line sketches as a tool for facilitation conversation, inviting others to examine complex and even uncomfortable topics. His imagery is personal, incorporating realism amongst cartoonish inclusions ranging from angels to devils, ropes to ribbons, claws that cling, and bared teeth, each in pursuit of a balanced composition.
In this particular collection, Golden presents the world through his own eyes. Often taught to "toughen up" and "be a man," the show is a reflection of the artist's personal experiences as a Black man navigating emotions, family, faith and life. His childhood love of drawing shines through in pop culture elements and vibrant colors. Nodding to both pop art and photorealism, Golden presents something fresh to the new contemporary art scene
About Brian “Dovie” Golden
Brian Dovie Golden is a visual artist who uses painting and drawing as an introspective tool for understanding issues of identity, race, gender and mental health, as well as an attempt to reconcile the harsh realities of life. His imagery is personal, incorporating realism through portraiture with cartoon style inclusions. Golden was born and raised in Chicago and studied Graphic Design/Multimedia Production at the International Academy of Design and Technology, earning his BFA in 2007. He has exhibited at various galleries including Thinkspace Gallery, Elephant Room Gallery, Vertical Gallery and Line Dot. Golden was awarded 1st Place at the Black Creativity Expo at the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago in 2018 for his painting "Promises... Promises". He currently lives and works in the Chicago-land area, continuing to expand his body of work through exhibitions, commissions and projects.
