About Artwork

The work of Stephanie Brooks typically adopts institutional or traditional formats in order to subtly subvert their intention and purpose from within.  Her deceptively modest shifts in the language or visual content one expects from the signs, nameplates, and other phenomena that structure our cultural and social experience prompt larger questions about the authoritative systems we have elected to live within.  Untitled (2015) takes the form of a metal charm typically found on a bracelet or a necklace given as a token of affection.  The text, despite its romantic sentiments, goes comedically “too far” in making the message sound sarcastic rather than endearing.  Despite its sweetly innocent appearance, Untitled quietly suggests how even the most loving relationships often possess complexity and a nuanced edginess.