Blanche Brown

Blanche Brown, a native of Chicago, is a multi-media artist. Brown’s visual artwork primarily addresses social injustice and the effect these issues have on our youth. Her work also explores the complications of child’s play, as it must coexist with societal problems and issues—as well as the potential for success and failure children may face. She uses painting, sculpture, collage, fiber, printmaking, public/community art, and mixed media to accomplish this.

Brown had no interest in drawing or painting herself until Bonner died unexpectedly. It was important to have something to connect his life to hers; art became that connection. Brown currently resides in Milwaukee and has been a professional artist for over 12 years exhibiting nationally and locally. She is a mentor at Redline Milwaukee, where she is involved in professional development of artists and exhibition programs with a focus on socially relevant issues. She has been a guest artist and artist-in-residence at several schools and community programs. Her work provides a forum for youth to openly discuss the challenges they encounter as violence invades their lives. She encourages youth to use art and writing as a means to express themselves. Brown also writes poetry and is a spoken word and performance artist.