In his latest exhibition titled “Friends of Doom,” Portland-based artist John Brodie unveils a dynamic fusion of painting, collage, drawing, and mixed-media sculpture. Hosted at the unconventional Old Fashioned Garage Gallery, this body of work—created entirely in 2024—delves into themes of mark-making, repetition, and cultural borrowing. By repurposing earlier artistic attempts as foundational layers, Brodie crafts visually rich compositions that pull inspiration from ancient civilizations and contemporary luxury fashion alike. The gallery, a residential pop-up space run by Jodie Cavalier and Alley Frey, adds to the raw, intimate experience of engaging with Brodie’s art outside traditional institutional settings.

Brodie’s creative process is deeply rooted in recontextualization. Many of the canvases begin with underpaintings from past projects that were once abandoned or set aside. Rather than discard these efforts, he revives them as groundwork for new visual narratives. This practice reflects both an environmental consciousness and a philosophical approach to artistic evolution. Each layer becomes a historical marker, contributing depth and texture to the final piece. His Alberta Arts District bookstore, Monograph Bookwerks, serves as a constant source of inspiration, feeding his visual vocabulary through curated selections of books, prints, and cultural ephemera.

The influence of ancient imagery mingles with modern iconography throughout the collection. Greek statues and Mesopotamian motifs coexist with collaged advertisements from high-end fashion brands such as Prada, Chloé, and Louis Vuitton. These juxtapositions create a dialogue between time periods, suggesting a continuity of aesthetic fascination across cultures. In one piece, a model’s face emerges from classical sculpture, surrounded by bold lines that seem to vibrate with emotional intensity. Another work features swirling patterns over a fashion ad, implying transformation or even deification. Brodie’s brushwork is expressive and energetic, often extending beyond the boundaries of the canvas itself, reinforcing the sense of movement and cosmic energy.

Textures play a significant role in enhancing the tactile quality of Brodie’s works. Crochet, dyed textiles, and needleworked fibers are integrated into several pieces, adding physical dimensionality to the layered surfaces. In works like Red Vase and Blue Vase, simple forms are elevated through intricate embellishments, while others such as Gods of Medicine and Starfisher take on three-dimensional qualities. These sculptures maintain the recurring theme of merging antiquity with abstract emotion, creating objects that feel both timeless and contemporary. The use of gessoed paper further enhances structural integrity, allowing for depth without compromising the delicate balance of form and content.

What sets this exhibition apart is its extension beyond the gallery walls. Some artworks are subtly placed outdoors, including Versace Hex mounted on a pergola beam, blending cubist elements with classical busts on cardboard. Another piece, Untitled, presents an abstract blue face painted over a Versace advertisement, framed by ornate wallpaper patterns. This outdoor placement challenges conventional gallery norms, offering viewers a more immersive and unexpected encounter with the art. It also reinforces the garage setting’s informal, community-driven ethos, echoing the DIY spirit of underground exhibitions from a decade ago.

As the second installment in Old Fashioned Garage Gallery’s 2024 programming, Friends of Doom exemplifies the growing trend of artist-run, temporary spaces that foster experimental creativity. Though such venues have existed alongside mainstream galleries for years, their frequency has waned in recent times. Yet, it is precisely their transient nature that gives them vitality. Brodie’s work, much like the gallery itself, balances seriousness with whimsy, permanence with impermanence. Through June 29, visitors can experience this unique convergence of history, culture, and innovation by appointment, capturing a moment in time before it fades into memory.