Brett Crawford
Los Angeles based artist Brett Crawford had a difficult childhood, with drawing serving as his sole refuge. He spent a substantial portion of his early adult life in incarceration. When faced with a twelve-year charge, the judge offered Crawford a place in a two-year program at the Delancey Street Foundation as an alternative; continuing for five years, this transformative experience fueled Crawford's commitment to helping others reshape their lives through artistic expression after a period of personal reinvention.
Guided by mentor Dugald Stermer's pragmatic advice, Crawford postponed his dream of becoming a full-time artist, instead working multiple jobs to pay the bills while pursuing art fervently as a hobby. His disciplined approach included early morning drawing sessions and printmaking work, whilst also waiting tables. Despite facing rejection from galleries Crawford persisted, leveraging social media to connect directly with collectors to sell his works. The turning point came when he embraced the story of Pinocchio, weaving the themes of bravery, adventure, and life lessons into his art, marking a distinctive shift in his creative direction.
Attracting the attention of numerous auction houses, Phillips Hong Kong sold his 2023 painting H3RE HE COMES for a new auction record for the artist of US$275,000. This success paved the way for Crawford's first solo show in Asia, "WAST3D POT3NTIAL," held at Phillips' Hong Kong headquarters. Despite the financial success and recognition, Crawford remains grounded, expressing gratitude for the rare belief that institutions like Phillips have placed in him. His story serves as a testament to the transformative power of art, determination, and the ability to rebuild one's life.
Featured Artists
- Ancart Harold
- Andre Carl
- Avery Milton
- Baldessari John
- Barnes Ernie
- Brice Lisa
- Castellani Enrico
- Crawford Brett
- Dadamaino
- Dávila Jose
- de Tollenaere Saskia
- Downing Thomas
- Dyson Julian
- Elsner Slawomir
- Freud Lucian
- Gadsby Eric
- Gander Ryan
- Guston Philip
- Haring Keith
- Held Al
- Hockney David
- Katz Alex
- Kentridge William
- Knifer Julije
- Le Parc Julio
- Leciejewski Edgar
- Léger Fernand
- Levine Chris
- LeWitt Sol
- Marchéllo
- Mavignier Almir da Silva
- Miller Harland
- Modé João
- Morellet François
- Nadelman Elie
- Nesbitt Lowell Blair
- O'Donoghue Hughie
- Odita Odili Donald
- Perry Grayson
- Picasso Pablo
- Pickstone Sarah
- Prehistoric Objects
- Quinn Marc
- Riley Bridget
- Ruscha Ed
- Serra Richard
- Shrigley David
- Smith Anj
- Smith Richard
- Soto Jesús Rafael
- Soulages Pierre
- Spencer Stanley
- Taller Popular de Serigrafía
- The Connor Brothers
- Turk Gavin
- Vasarely Victor
- Wood Jonas