Brooke Catania

Endicott College

Artwork title: Good Thing You’re Pretty
oil on aluminum | 18 x 24 inches

Tell us about the work that you have submitted.
This painting is part of a series exploring how portraiture can empower one to respond confidently to gender-based criticism. Good Thing You’re Pretty is a self-portrait that depicts my unedited reaction to the type of backhanded compliment alluded to in the title of the piece.

How do you describe your work and practice?
I work primarily with portraiture because I find the human face to be both infinitely fascinating and challenging. In my work, there is always more attention to detail in the eyes, nose and mouth because these are the accents that make a face unique or memorable.

What motivated you to apply to the AXA Art Prize?
The information for the AXA Art Prize was sent to me by a professor who always encourages her students to promote themselves confidently as artists. Exposure can be intimidating, but I knew I would be lucky to be considered alongside so many other incredible young artists, regardless of the outcome.

What about figurative work do you find particularly inspiring?
Figurative work is a way to connect to others on a personal level that is unobtainable in everyday life. There is no greater gift than when another person trusts you to study and represent their most vulnerable possession and show the public how beautiful they are.

www.brookecataniaart.com
Instagram | @brookecatania_art