Brian Dawn Chalkley (*1948) has been exploring gender, sexuality and identity for many decades. Thirty years ago, Dawn, his female Alter Ego, entered Chalkley’s art. Since then, the interplay between Brian and Dawn has been an important stimulus for Chalkley’s work. This dialogue between the genders facilitates narration, performance, and the dream of being someone else.

Chalkley’s characterful portraits, painted swiftly with a soft brush, speak about melancholy and sadness. The textile works are full of stories: drawn, embroidered and accompanied by texts they show abandoned sea resorts or austere parks, isolated beings, good and bad dreams. The perspective is flat and recalls folk art. This ostensible naivety contrasts with the intricacy and ambiguity of the scenes and figures. Tragic moments are coupled with black humour in view of the absurdity of the world.