By Mariam Dzadzamia
Brittany Baldwin ‘13, a professor of drawing at Adelphi, recently debuted her solo exhibition at A.I.R. Gallery in Dumbo, Brooklyn, which ran from August 3 to September 1. Titled “Feedback Loop,” this body of work reflects Baldwin’s exploration of shape through gesture, combining her mural and studio practices in a new and immersive way.
Inspired by the idea of removing art from the limitations of a single wall, Baldwin envisioned a continuous piece that would span the entire gallery space. What began as a concept for one large-scale work evolved into a project that utilized almost every wall in the gallery, offering viewers a meditative space to engage with.
“I was curious to see how a work would function if it wasn’t bound by a single wall,” Baldwin said of her project’s organic growth. The result was a dynamic installation that captures the fluid relationship between gesture and form.
Baldwin holds an MFA from Pratt Institute and a BFA from Adelphi. Her work has been exhibited at various galleries and institutions, including Pratt Institute, Anonymous Society Gallery and Iona University. In addition to her studio practice, Baldwin has completed numerous public mural commissions throughout New York City, partnering with organizations like the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, DOT Art and NYC Parks.
Baldwin worked for three months to create the pieces for “Feedback Loop,” using acrylic on paper as her primary medium. The linear, script-like gestures in her paintings evoke the sensation of written language, an intentional parallel drawn by Baldwin.
“In an age where typing dominates communication, I’ve become increasingly aware of the importance of handwriting,” she said. The installation invites viewers to slow down, experience the rhythm of each brushstroke and reflect on the act of writing itself.
The project’s title refers to systems where the output of a process is used as input for future iterations. In this exhibition, Baldwin creates a literal feedback loop between her gestures and the shapes that emerge.
“I initiate the movement and take cues from the gesture to see what comes next,” she explained, emphasizing the improvisational nature of her work. This cyclical process generates a sense of three-dimensionality as certain areas of the paintings recede while others come forward, giving the viewer a feeling of movement and depth.
Baldwin’s technique goes beyond mere mark making: it’s an active conversation with her medium, where removing and editing are just as important as adding. Her use of color ranges from bold and punchy tones to quiet and soft hues, creating energetic shifts that elevate the forms she constructs.
To bring “Feedback Loop” to life, Baldwin first applied to the A.I.R. Gallery’s open call for exhibitions. Once accepted, she began experimenting with color and sketching her ideas. The final installation featured three of the 10 paintings created during this process. The exhibition serves as a powerful bridge between Baldwin’s mural work and studio practice, offering a glimpse into the potential of large-scale, immersive art.
For more information, visit airgallery.org, where details about the exhibition can still be found, reminding us of the beauty in both movement and stillness.
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