Celebrate the closing night of Brandon Carlton’s solo exhibition the undercommons with an evening of creativity and connection in the gallery. Carlton will lead an open drawing workshop where you can sketch, experiment, and make art surrounded by his work.

Limited materials will be available on a first-come basis, and light snacks will be provided.

About the Artist:

Brandon Carlton’s practice is rooted in self-definition and a commitment to honest representation. His guiding philosophy—“You gotta love yourself”—is not just a personal mantra but a framework for engaging with the world. For Carlton, self-acceptance is foundational to his artistic process, shaping how he portrays the nuances of identity, intimacy, and personal evolution.

Born in Baltimore, Carlton’s early exposure to construction work alongside his mother introduced him to the materials and textures that continue to inform his practice. His paintings challenge narrow representations of Blackness by embracing the full spectrum of skin tones and lived experiences, moving beyond simplistic binaries. Merging figuration with his background in streetwear and modeling, he constructs portraits that exist between memory and imagination. His work draws from a wide range of influences, from the stylized realism of Alex Katz and David Hockney to the everyday humor and surrealism of animated television.

For Carlton, painting is both a creative and existential necessity—an ongoing process of self-determination. His work resists easy categorization, instead offering layered narratives that reflect the complexity of contemporary Black life.