Brent Cleveland

Brent Cleveland (b. 1994) is a Montréal-based emerging artist whose evocative, oil pastel drawings bring a unique narrative to life. His work, previously shown at venues like Projet Casa, the Leonard & Bina Ellen Gallery, and the Khyber Centre for the Arts, delves into pop culture and media, portraying characters caught in moody, introspective moments.

Cleveland holds a BFA in Interdisciplinary Studies from NSCAD University and an MFA in Painting & Drawing from Concordia University.

Brent Cleveland’s rigorous drawing practice with oil pastels on paper draws from pop culture and media, presenting characters in moody, dramatic emotional states. This emerging queer artist, who has flourished across the arts sector, now brings a distinctive voice to the visual arts.

Cleveland’s work features humorous, awkward human figures and costumes inspired by fashion and fluid gender expression, often evoking familiar scenes from film. Through Cleveland’s vision, we experience a sense of belonging and the subtle ironies of daily life. His use of vibrant colors and an uninhibited, approachable style brings a fresh perspective to his explorations of identity and everyday moments.

2019 -2024

Horse & rider

Oil Pastel on Paper
9 × 12 In / 22.86 × 30.48 cm
2019
Blue (Pink Hat)

Oil Pastel on Paper
9 × 12 In / 22.86 × 30.48 cm
2019
Mascara and Party Dress

Oil Pastel on Paper
9 × 12 In / 22.86 × 30.48 cm
2021
Flowers (After Fairfield Porter)

Oil Pastel on Paper
9 × 12 In / 22.86 × 30.48 cm
2021
Baby Angel

Oil Pastel on Paper
9 × 12 In / 22.86 × 30.48 cm
2023
Untitled

Oil Pastel on Paper
9 × 12 In / 22.86 × 30.48 cm
2023
Open Season

Oil Pastel on Paper
9 × 12 In / 22.86 × 30.48 cm
2023
Pose

Oil Pastel on Paper
9 × 12 In / 22.86 × 30.48 cm
2019
Wilson on the edge of the lake

Oil Pastel on Paper
9 × 12 In / 22.86 × 30.48 cm
2019
Pamela

Oil Pastel on Paper
9 × 12 In / 22.86 × 30.48 cm
2022
Down on the west coast

Oil Pastel on Paper
9 × 12 In / 22.86 × 30.48 cm
2023
So Julia

Oil Pastel on Paper
9 × 12 In / 22.86 × 30.48 cm
2024
Girl falling off horse (After Jane Corrigan)

Oil Pastel on Paper
9 × 12 In / 22.86 × 30.48 cm
2019
Songbird (Fashion of his love)

Oil Pastel on Paper
9 × 12 In / 22.86 × 30.48 cm
2024
Great Lake

Oil Pastel on Paper
9 × 12 In / 22.86 × 30.48 cm
2023
Poolside

Oil Pastel on Paper
9 × 12 In / 22.86 × 30.48 cm
2021
Flowers II (After Fairfield Porter)

Oil Pastel on Paper
9 × 12 In / 22.86 × 30.48 cm
2021
Oracle

Oil Pastel on Paper
9 × 12 In / 22.86 × 30.48 cm
2021
Wilson on the edge of the lake

Oil paint on Canvas
48 × 60 In / 121.92 × 152.4 cm
2020
Hug in the Night

Oil paint on Canvas
48 × 60 In / 121.92 × 152.4 cm
2020
Queen

Oil paint on Canvas
48 × 60 In / 121.92 × 152.4 cm
2020
Velvet Rage

Oil paint on Canvas
48 × 60 In / 121.92 × 152.4 cm
2020
Anthology of the Imaginary

Oil paint on Canvas
48 × 60 In / 121.92 × 152.4 cm
2020
Son of Bradford

Oil paint on Canvas
48 × 60 In / 121.92 × 152.4 cm
2020
Horse & Rider II

Oil paint on Canvas
48 × 60 In / 121.92 × 152.4 cm
2020
Justice and Divine Vengeance Pursuing Crime (After Pierre Paul Prud'hon)

Oil Pastel on Paper
9 × 12 In / 22.86 × 30.48 cm
2023
Early morning in Palm Springs

Oil Pastel on Paper
9 × 12 In / 22.86 × 30.48 cm
2023