“Pretty and Gritty” is the latest series by BNS, blending the beauty of cityscapes, nature, and people through figurative paintings. Women’s elegance emerges from layers of floral patterns, fueled by graffiti and the vibrant energy of cities like New York and London. Self-referential symbols, such as personal buildings, his children’s drawings, and significant places like CBGB, Andy Warhol’s studio, and NYC’s City Hall (where he got married), appear hidden beneath layers of paint and silkscreened city scenes. Icons of urban life—water towers, parking signs, brownstones—are elevated to reflect the artist’s perception of beauty, alongside recurring botanical designs inspired by his garden and childhood memories. Photography sessions with models in his studio inspire symbols that reflect each subject’s story. Some paintings feature graffiti-covered eyes, adding anonymity, while others collage different faces and body parts to create entirely new personas.
