Brian Spies

My name is BrianSPIES, I am an artist and I have on occasion worked under the alias "The KhingKOBRA", I was born on the 17th of March 1979 somewhere in rural Pennsylvania.I am an artist who works in many mediums including (but not limited to) Painting, Photography, Printmaking and Collage... I am working on a body of painting that explore the notion of divinity in a secular world through a formalist exploration of the deliberate application of paint to canvas. This body of work is inspired by Byzantine Iconography as well as 20th Century abstract expressionists such Robert Motherwell and Mark Rothko.
As of late my work has become increasingly concerned with my own narrative of trauma and abuse as a vehicle for exploring pain, loss and redemption in a broader cultural context. I continue to be visually inspired by abstract expressionism and post painterly abstraction with a more personal investment and an added emphasis upon content.

1997 - 2002: BA in Studio Art from Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA2008 - 2009: Artist in Residence @ The Pajama Factory in Williamsport, PASpring 2008: Enrolled as a Non-Degree Seeking Graduate Student in The Fine Art Department at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PAFall 2009 - Spring 2010: Enrolled in The Post-Bac Certificate Program @ MICA in Baltimore, MDFall 2010 - Spring 2012: MFA Candidate at The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, PANovember 1997: Behind Bars (a group show at The Old Jail)April 2002: Senior Exhibition (Lycoming College)March 2003: EAT (a solo show at the Coffee N Tea Room)2004: Creative Director for the Centre County Democratic PartyApril 2005: TRASHed (an exhibition of decorated recycling bins, Various locations throughout Southern California including The Lab 101 and The Coachello Arts and Music Festival)September 2005: The First Annual Art Parade Sponsored by Deitch Projects (a group performnance art exhibit in SoHo, NYC)June 2006: The Munny Film Festival (a stop action film festival sponsored by KidRobot Toys)May 2007: Kitchen Kitsch (a group show at The Chris Young Art Gallery and Studio in Williamsport, PA)Ongoing: The Camera Club: Online Edition (The Quiet Life) @ http://www.thequ...