My work celebrates Queer bodies as resilient, strong, and inherently beautiful, aiming to foster empathy and appreciation for the diversity of experiences. By centering these narratives within the frameworks of mythology and art history, I create a corrective dialogue that reclaims visibility for marginalized individuals and asserts their rightful place in our shared cultural consciousness.
Rooted in a solid understanding of anatomy and traditional methods, my practice bridges the classical and the contemporary, blending historical reverence with a bold, personal perspective. I draw inspiration from classical figures and mythologies, challenging the notion that non-conforming identities are new and situating them as an enduring and integral part of human history. This juxtaposition underscores the universality and timelessness of these identities while offering a visual testament to the strength of marginalized communities.
In a time of increasing global conservatism—marked by threats to bodily autonomy, restrictive legislation, and divisive ideologies—my work provides a space for reflection, resistance, and hope. Through both painting and sculpture, I weave atypical narratives into familiar historical and mythological contexts, challenging the confines of heteronormativity and the binary. This effort not only pushes societal boundaries but also advocates for a more inclusive and equitable world, emphasizing the unifying power of Queer stories and their ability to inspire empathy and cultural evolution.
Brad Silk (b. 1984, Danvers, MA, USA) is a figure and portrait artist based in Taylors, South Carolina. Working primarily in oil paintings and ceramic builds, Silk’s work draws heavily from mythology and art history, serving as a powerful medium to celebrate the Queer community's resilience, strength, and beauty. Silk explores themes of identity, transformation, and narrative through their art, embedding historical and mythological references to evoke a sense of timelessness and cultural continuity.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
July 2025
Daydreamers & Other Nightmares. Greenville Center for Creative Arts, Greenville, SC
December 2024
Small Works. Thornback Gallery, Greenville, SC
September 2024
Found Family. Thompson Gallery of Art, Furman University, Greenville, SC
Saturated. Thornback Gallery, Greenville, SC
Figures + Faces Good Art, Greenville, SC
July 2024
Surprised by Joy. Devinci House at Grand Bohemian Lodge, Greenville, SC
June 2024
QAI@Modal. Modal, Greenville, SC
May 2024
Artists of the Upstate. Artisphere, Greenville, SC
February 2024
Triple C Jubilee. Greenville Center for Creative Arts, Greenville, SC
June 2023
Rainbow. Cultural Center of Cape Cod, Yarmouth, MA
QUEERwork. Silver Mine, New Canaan, CT
March 2023
Overlook. Dogwood Gallery, Smithville, TN
July 2022
Drawing In All Medium. Site: Brooklyn, Online
November 2021
Face to Face. Site:Brooklyn, Online
Luminosity. B Extraordinaire Gallery, Online
September 2021
untitled 2.0. Athens Art Gallery, Crawfordsville, IN
August 2021
ALL ABOUT WOMEN. Marin Society of Artists, San Rafael, CA
Viral Hope. Bitfactory, Denver, CO
All in the Family. Cotuit Center for the Arts, Cotuit, MA
July 2021
Copies / Interpretations. LBIF, Long Beach, NJ
June 2021
Real or Imagined. Attleboro Arts Museum, Attleboro, MA
May 2021
Artists of the Upstate. Artisphere, Greenville, SC
January 2021
Crocker/Kingsley. Blue Line Arts, Roseville, CA
November 2020
Your Place at the Table. 311 Gallery, Raleigh, NC
Reclaimed, Reimagined. Field Projects, New York, NY