David Brown (b. 1971, Frederick, MD) centers his artistic practice around the accumulation and recurrent use of his signature "eye" motif—two elliptical lines punctuated by a dot in the center. This motif, along with modular grid arrangements, references both the human figure and broader systems in which individuals operate. Rather than striving for perfection, Brown's work highlights the subtle fluctuations that humanize these forms. A graduate of the University of Maryland’s Fine Arts program, Brown’s artworks often vary in scale, with thousands of meticulously applied marks on individual panels that accumulate to fill space. Through this, he pushes the expressive potential of serial abstraction, evoking psychological states.
Brown’s work is far from mass-produced. Instead, his handcrafted, repeated marks convey an organic and visceral quality. While minimalism often uses repetition and serial organization to eliminate expression in favor of structural order, Brown embraces repetition to suggest variation and the process of evolution or transformation. This is evident in the subtle changes that occur as materials break down or as the artist’s hand and grip physically tire. Brown himself notes, "My work differs from traditional Minimalism by attempting to create a more personal and organic, yet still orderly, image." Viewing his art as “functional,” he adds, “Through the act of replication, I gain the opportunity for personal reflection, contemplation, and meditation.”
The artist frequently uses patterns to create a sense of rhythm, composed of thousands of recurring marks. Brown emphasizes both the hand quality of each mark, and the unity of purpose shared by each component as they form the whole. While each mark is applied separately in response to the one before, they merge to create a unified visual effect. At a distance, the marks blend into an undulating or vibrating surface that feels alive. However, when viewed up close, the work reveals more variety than initially apparent.
Brown’s work bridges microcosms and macrocosms, exploring existential questions about the interconnectedness of humanity. His large installations serve as meditative tools, formal artistic expressions, and acts of labor. He likens the process of creating these mandala-like pieces to an act of breathing, feeling "most in the moment" during their creation. However, Brown believes the viewer's participation is essential to completing the work. He has stated, “The viewer’s participation in the process completes the work,” emphasizing that we do not breathe the Earth’s air in solitude.
Living and working in Baltimore City, David Brown has exhibited in New York, Baltimore, Washington, DC, Florida, Texas, California, Virginia, and Illinois. His work is included in numerous private and public collections across the United States, including notable sites such as BWI Airport, boutique hotels, and Microsoft’s Art Collection.