Brian Tolbert Art
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Solo exhibition · 2024

The Art of Vanity

Forever Incomplete Studios

The Art of Vanity Opening Reception flyer

I built The Art of Vanity from self-portraits and moments of looking back at who I had been, who I was, and who I was becoming. Through surrealist imagery, I explored identity, escapism, depression, grief, and my ongoing relationship with death. These works let me make space for difficult parts of my life and for the possibility of growth. I hoped visitors might recognize something of their own experience in that process.

See The Art of Vanity works on The Work →

Events

Location

Forever Incomplete Studios415 Randolph St NW, Washington, DC 20011, USA

Artist note

I wanted The Art of Vanity to happen, and after months of looking for a place to show the work, I decided to make the space myself. My wife, Audra Lee, curated the exhibition, and we transformed the front of our home into a gallery. We moved the furniture, took down our own art, sanded and repainted the walls, then installed the work—all within two days.

It was a lot to take on, but seeing the work in that space and feeling the response from visitors made the effort worth it. This was my first formal introduction as a professional artist, and I’m proud of what we brought to life together.

Event photos

Archive materials

I’ve gathered photographs, programs, and other records from the exhibition here.

Programs & documents

Recording

Installation views

The Art of Vanity — archival material 35: Photographs documenting the installation process.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 36: Photographs documenting the installation process.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 37: Photographs documenting the installation process.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 38: Photographs documenting the installation process.

Programs & printed materials

The Art of Vanity — archival material 29: Designing the exhibition program.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 39: Announcement for The Art of Vanity virtual experience.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 41: Five copies of The Art of Vanity exhibition program laid out on a wooden bench.

Photographic records

The Art of Vanity — archival material 1: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 2: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 3: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 4: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 5: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 6: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 7: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 8: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 9: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 10: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 11: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 12: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 13: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 14: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 15: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 16: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 17: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 18: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 19: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 20: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 21: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 22: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 23: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 24: Work-in-progress photographs.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 25: Framing and matting options considered for the artwork.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 26: Framing and matting options considered for the artwork.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 27: Framing and matting options considered for the artwork.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 28: Framing and matting options considered for the artwork.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 30: Furniture and belongings moved from the living room to make space for the gallery.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 31: Furniture and belongings moved from the living room to make space for the gallery.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 32: Furniture and belongings moved from the living room to make space for the gallery.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 33: Furniture and belongings moved from the living room to make space for the gallery.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 34: Furniture and belongings moved from the living room to make space for the gallery.
The Art of Vanity — archival material 40: Brian Tolbert seated on a bench with framed works on the gallery walls.

Video records

Video · The Art of Vanity — archival video 1: Short recap of the exhibition.
Video · The Art of Vanity — archival video 2: Extended interview with Brian Tolbert.
Video · The Art of Vanity — archival video 3: Exhibition footage with visitors arriving and refreshments being served.
Video · The Art of Vanity — archival video 4: Applying the exhibition title and text to the wall.