Saxon Brice is Reframing Classical Narratives Amid the Turmoil of Contemporary Culture

an article by Mona Lisa Abramovich

Saxon Brice, a Los Angeles-based multi-disciplinary artist, fuses classical artistry with modern sensibilities, creating works that resonate across time and culture. With roots in oil painting, draftsmanship, and digital art, Brice crafts poignant visual narratives that challenge the rapidly shifting tides of contemporary society. His art, both introspective and expansive, reimagines the mythological and philosophical icons of the past through the lens of modern cultural complexities.
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Born on May 11, 1987, Brice grew up immersed in an environment that nurtured his creative aspirations. His grandfather, an artist and professor, imbued him with the philosophy that art transcends product and fashion—it is a spiritual and storytelling practice. This foundation, coupled with influences from comic books, Japanese printmaking, and African and Oceanic totems, forged a rich artistic vocabulary. Brice’s fascination with storytelling reflects a universal human impulse: the struggle against mortality and the pursuit of meaningful existence.

Saxon Brice, MOYRA, 2024, Charcoal, sanguine and sepia conté, and gouache on paper, 25.5 x 19.5 in

A Vocabulary of Time and Culture
​Brice’s creative lexicon spans global traditions, marrying the high Renaissance ideals of Da Vinci and Holbein with the subversive energy of contemporary figures like H.R. Giger and Isabelle Albuquerque. His work balances a reverence for historical craftsmanship with an urgent critique of present-day anxieties, particularly those driven by technological upheaval and cultural malaise. Brice describes his art as a "dark mirror," a warning of humanity's estrangement from its essence but also a beacon of hope for what human hands can achieve.

His paintings—equal parts homage and critique—combine the technical rigor of his classical training at the Florence Academy of Art with the exploratory nature of his years as a production designer and art director. Brice approaches his practice with a mix of premeditation and spontaneity, crafting worlds that emerge organically through the interplay of discipline and discovery.

Saxon Brice, IRENE, 2024, Charcoal, sanguine and sepia conté, and gouache on paper, 25.5 x 19.5 in.

World-Building Through Art
Brice’s process reflects his roots in narrative-driven mediums like fantasy and sci-fi, where world-building is paramount. While his portraits evoke the elegance and grace of Guido Reni, they are deeply rooted in the identities of contemporary subjects. In his recent solo exhibition, Vibe // Shift, Brice presented 15 portraits that embody this duality. These works, inspired by his training in Florence, elevate modern figures to the timeless grandeur of classical portraiture.
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Yet, Brice’s compositions go beyond aesthetics. His mythologically infused works delve into philosophical inquiry, starting from concepts often sparked by literature or podcasts. These ideas evolve through sketches, critiques, and trial and error, achieving a balance between conceptual depth and visual cohesion. He believes in the importance of hierarchy and balance in composition—guiding the viewer’s gaze through layers of meaning while ensuring a harmonious whole.

Saxon Brice, BLUE GIRL, 2023, Oil on canvas, 19.5 x 15.75 in.

Saxon Brice, STEFANO, 2023, Oil on canvas, 19.5 x 15.75 in.

A Vision of Contrasts
Brice’s ability to navigate contrasts—beauty and decay, tradition and innovation, past and present—makes his work particularly compelling. His mixed-media compositions juxtapose classical ideals with dissonant contemporary themes, creating an unsettling yet captivating tension. In these works, Brice reveals the dangers of cultural and technological alienation, while simultaneously celebrating the resilience of human creativity.
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In the future, Brice intends to explore even bolder territory, drawing inspiration from iconographic semiotics and the visceral dynamism of artists like Robert Longo. This forward-looking approach seeks to bridge the classical and the contemporary, reflecting the artist's belief in the enduring relevance of traditional techniques in navigating modern existential questions.

Saxon Brice, JESSI, 2024, Oil on canvas 40 x 30 in

​Art as a Mirror and a Map
Brice’s oeuvre functions as both a mirror and a map—reflecting the fractures of our time while charting a path forward through the wisdom of the past. His work challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and their society, urging a reconciliation with our shared humanity.

With exhibitions spanning California galleries and a growing presence in esteemed collections like the James A. Kidd Foundation, Brice is cementing his role as a vital voice in contemporary art. Whether crafting haunted paintings for Netflix’s Velvet Buzzsaw or exploring the ideals of humanism in his portraits, Saxon Brice demonstrates an unwavering commitment to art as a vehicle for storytelling, critique, and transformation.
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For more of Saxon Brice’s work, visit www.saxonbrice.com or follow him on Instagram at @Saxisfaction.

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This article about Saxon Brice takes part of the ARTICULATE PROMOTE Programme in collaboration with PR FOR ARTISTS