Davon Brantley: Awaken in the Garden My Love

The exhibition analyzes "shadow selves” and their relationship with the “seven deadly sins” and how each is necessary in coming to terms with true balance, even though the process may cause internal conflict.Davon Brantley reflects on personal narratives and experiences to shape his body of work. Using an amalgam of materials, he heightens meaning erratically in self-portraits that convey heightened emotional states. Childhood trauma and life experiences—a motif throughout his artwork—allow him to tackle multiple issues through development into adult life and maturity.Through larger-than-life portraits, Brantley leads viewers through his mind as if they were watching a play, utilizing dramatic compositions, absurd realism and characters that act out certain emotions and themes in which he plays all the roles.Brantley earned his BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art in drawing. He has exhibited in and curated shows at Bay Arts, the Museum of Contemporary Art, CAN Triennial, Morgan Conservatory, the Artists Archives of the Western Reserve, and the Museum of Creative Human Art, all in Cleveland, as well as Indianapolis Arts Center.The artist has worked with community organizations in Cleveland such as the Museum of Creative Human Art and Graffiti HeArt. He furthered his investigations in printmaking with DeepDive Art projects and the Cleveland Institute of Art. He has participated in mural activities and advocated for younger artists.