Nell Brookfield

Nell Brookfield’s work delves into the emotional and physical spaces between individuals, particularly in intimate or tense moments. Through her vivid, dreamlike images, she explores feelings of alienation and the complexities of human relationships. Her compositions often feature figures in animal costumes, serving as tools to either mask or reveal human instincts of desire, frustration, and rejection. Brookfield’s artistic practice is deeply informed by her background in anthropology, which shapes her observational approach to human behavior. She works primarily with natural pigments mixed with acrylic medium and oil paint on linen canvases, creating textured surfaces that emphasize body language, touch, and interpersonal dynamics. Her use of intense colors and intricate patterning accentuates the charged moments between her figures, inviting viewers to engage with the subtle nuances of emotional and physical interaction. Brookfield investigates tenderness, intimacy, and tension, capturing moments that balance vulnerability with conflict. Through her work, she offers a window into the complexities of human interaction, encouraging reflection on the invisible dynamics and spaces that shape our relationships. ...