Born in London, Cecily Brown established herself as a significant figure in contemporary painting after moving to New York in the 1990s. Her practice is defined by a rigorous engagement with the history of art, synthesizing the influence of painters such as Willem de Kooning, Francis Bacon, and Peter Paul Rubens into a distinct, energetic visual vocabulary.

Brown works primarily in oil on canvas, utilizing thick, sweeping brushstrokes to create dense compositions that often oscillate between abstraction and representation. Her themes frequently center on the body, landscape, and the act of painting itself, resulting in works that feel both visceral and deeply rooted in art historical tradition.

In 2026, Brown continues to receive significant international recognition, including a major solo exhibition titled Picture Making at Serpentine South in London. This presentation highlights her ongoing development, featuring new site-specific works inspired by Kensington Gardens alongside a retrospective selection of her paintings, monotypes, and drawings.