Tim Kent’s artistic practice explores the influence of power and authority on society. He views painting as a historical tool for negotiating power dynamics and enforcing ideological control. His works challenge the perception of flawless spaces imposed by authority, revealing the dystopian realities that lie beneath. Employing traditional perspective and architectural forms as tools of illusion, Kent invites viewers to uncover the fractures and imperfections behind these seemingly perfect facades. This approach also articulates his critical stance against systems of power.
To examine the relationship between space and figure, Kent merges historical references with contemporary techniques. Drawing on the aesthetic language of Greek sculpture, the grandeur of Baroque interiors, the delicacy of French Rococo, and the rigid geometry of Brutalist architecture, he constructs psychologically charged spaces. These environments disrupt familiar spatial conventions, using traditional perspectival techniques to enhance depth while bridging architecture and landscape with abstract brushstrokes.
Kent’s creative process reflects an integration of technology and art. By employing architectural modeling software, virtual reality programs, and image processing tools, he translates archival and real architectural photographs into tangible spatial compositions. These technical methodologies allow him to materialize mental maps into structured environments.
Born on July 24, 1975, in Vancouver to an English mother and Turkish father, Kent earned his M.A. from West Dean College at the University of Sussex and a B.F.A. from Hunter College. His training in perspective at West Dean College led to an early career painting historic homes across England, sparking his interest in the complex historical and psychological narratives embedded in architecture and design.
Kent has held solo exhibitions at prestigious venues such as JD Malta Gallery in London, Hollis Taggart Galleries in New York, and PILEVNELİ. His work has been featured in significant publications, including the book New Surrealism: The Uncanny in Contemporary Painting and outlets like ArtReview, The Brooklyn Rail, and Architectural Digest. His pieces are part of notable collections, including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Beijing, the 21C Museum in Kentucky, and the Rockwell Museum in New York.
Kent lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.