Artist's Statement
My abstract painting journey began in a Contemporary Art Theory and Practice class. When my professor learned I was interested in Carl Jung but hadn’t yet read his work, she recommended I start with Man and His Symbols. This book changed my life and became the root of my artistic practice.
Man and His Symbols ignited a flame that had been a spark since childhood. I always felt a strong connection to my unconscious mind and sensed it was linked to something greater. I became fascinated by Jung’s theories on indigenous cultures, instincts, and archetypes, especially the circle, which to me symbolized both individual and collective wholeness. My first abstract painting began with an intention to trust my instincts and connect my unconscious with the collective’s… and I painted a lot of circles.
From there, all of my paintings started with circular motions and marks on the canvas. The process became profoundly meditative, evoking a sense of healing in myself, and hopefully in some small way, the world. It was so trancelike that I often had no idea what I had created until the piece was complete. I don’t try to control the outcome; my instincts and unconscious are in the driver’s seat. My goal is to connect to the collective unconscious and allow viewers to access their own nostalgic inner worlds, in hopes of offering healing and introspection.
Through this process, I encountered my own individuation, exploring shadow work and the death of the hero. My paintings became a reflection of what I had received through this unconscious state of mind.
My most recent project, Unus Mundus, combines music (created with Chen Shen), painting, filmmaking, performance, and Jungian ideology in the hopes of further healing the divide within the unconscious. Only after releasing this project did I recognize the symbolism that emerged through this vision, deepening my understanding of Jungian thought and leading me to discover Jungian Arts-Based Research. This has opened a whole new world I already connect to deeply, and I look forward to exploring it further in my future work.
Biography
Brianna Young is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist working across painting, film, and music. After more than a decade in Los Angeles, she recently relocated to Yucca Valley, fulfilling a long-held dream of living and working in California’s high desert. The move marks a natural evolution in a practice that has long been shaped by her experiences in and longing for Joshua Tree and the surrounding desert landscape.
Young’s work explores the relationship between the inner and outer worlds, drawing particularly from Carl Jung’s ideas of the collective unconscious, individuation, shadow work, and the unity of opposites. Working intuitively, she uses abstraction as a means of accessing the subconscious, creating paintings through rhythmic movement, layered textures, organic forms, and recurring lines and patterns. Her work is interested in the tension between chaos and order, containment and release, and the invisible connections that exist between individuals and the larger collective.
The desert has increasingly become both a physical and psychological landscape within Young’s practice. Some works emerge from direct experiences in the high desert, while others are painted from memory, longing, or an imagined return to it. Its vastness, silence, starkness, and unexpected moments of color and transformation echo her broader interest in the unconscious and in the ways internal experiences can become physical through art.
These ideas extend beyond painting into Young’s multidisciplinary work. Her recent experimental short film and music project, Unus Mundus, draws its title from the Jungian concept of “one world,” exploring shadow and light, duality, and the possibility of an underlying unity between apparent opposites. Filmed on a dry lakebed in the California desert, the work centers around the creation of a monumental 18-foot painting and brings together painting, performance, original music, costume, and moving image. Unus Mundus received the Audience Award for Best Music Video at the Awareness Film Festival in Los Angeles and continues to evolve as part of a larger body of work examining shadow and the unconscious.
Originally from Boulder, Colorado, Young studied Performing Arts at Loyola Marymount University before developing her visual art practice in Los Angeles. Her background in music and performance continues to inform the movement, rhythm, and physicality of her paintings. Her work has been exhibited throughout Southern California, including at Bergamot Station Arts Center, TAG Gallery, Gallery 825, and Covet Art Gallery, and has been featured in publications including The World of Interiors and VoyageLA. Her work is held in private collections throughout the United States.
Now working from Yucca Valley, Young is continuing to explore the desert not simply as a subject, but as a place where landscape, memory, subconscious experience, and the collective psyche intersect.
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CV
BRIANNA YOUNG
Los Angeles Art Association Member
Los Angeles, California
Email: brianna@briannayoungart.com
Website: briannayoungart.com
Phone: 310-307-1233
Education
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Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA - Extended studies in Contemporary Art, Theory and Practice, and Music | 2017 - ongoing
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Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA - BA in Performing Arts | 2010
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University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY - Studied Music and Performing Arts | 2007
Selected Exhibitions,Festivals and awards
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2025: The Awareness Film Festival, Audience Award for Music Video "Unus Mundus", Santa Monica, CA
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2025: The Sacred Underground Film Festival, Honorable Mention for Music Video "Unus Mundus", San Antonio, TX
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2025: Northwest International Film Festival , Nominated for Music Video "Unus Mundus", Longview, WA
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2025: “Rising from the Ashes - A Journey Through Loss and Recovery” Group Exhibition, Angel City Brewery, Los Angeles, CA
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2024: “Thorn Edge” Group Exhibition, Aedra Fine Arts, International Online Catalogue
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2024: “Ladies Night” Group Exhibition, Covet Art Gallery, Oceanside, CA
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2024: “Ooh Baby!” Group Exhibition, Covet Art Gallery, Oceanside, CA
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2024: “Newport Beach Art Exhibition” Group Exhibition, Newport Beach Civic Center
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2024: Featured Artist (live painting), Truly LA, Los Angeles Arts District, CA
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2024: “Ready GO” Group Exhibition, Los Angeles Art Association, International Online
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2024: “Turf” Group Exhibition, Los Angeles Art Association, International Online
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2024: "A Journey of Loss and Recovery" Solo Exhibition, Exhibizone, International Online
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2024: "Open Theme Competition" Group Show, Blue Space Gallery, International Online
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2024: “Contemporary Vision” Group Exhibition, Aedra Fine Arts, International Online
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2024: “Say What?” Group Exhibition, Covet Art Gallery, Oceanside, CA
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2024: "Small Things" Group Exhibition, TAG Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
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2024: "Beauty and Splendor" Group Exhibition, Hummingbird and Dragonfly Art Gallery, International Online
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2024: "Winter is Coming" Online Group Exhibition, Biafarin and Exhibizone, International
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2023: "Spectrum Gestalt" Group Exhibition, bG Gallery, Bergamot Station Arts Center, Santa Monica, CA
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2023: “Elements” Group Exhibition, Exhibizone, International Online
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2023: Featured Artist (live painting), Truly LA, Los Angeles Arts District, CA
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2021: "S.O.S. Save Our Seas" Group Exhibition, Laguna Art Gallery, Mission Viejo, CA
Curatorial Projects
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2025: “Rising from the Ashes - A Journey Through Loss and Recovery” Group Exhibition, Angel City Brewery, Los Angeles, CA
Publications
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May 2025: Neurodivergent Artists: "Having Many Special Interests is OK" Brianna Young, WeHyperfocus Link
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2025: Los Angeles Art Association Volume VII Catalog
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December 2023: Group Exhibition Catalog, Biafarin Awards 2023
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April 2021: Artistic Impressions, The World of Interiors
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May 2021: Artistic Impressions, The World of Interiors
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June 2021: Artistic Impressions, The World of Interiors
Selected Commissions
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2025: Mural 6 x 18 ft, Just 4 Feet Studio, Laguna Hills, CA
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2023: "Untitled" 60 x 40 in, Original Painting, Private Residence, Los Angeles, CA
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2021: "Beneath the Surface" - 40 x 40 in, Original Painting, Private Residence, Los Angeles, CA
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2020: "Dreamland" - 30 x 40 in, Original Painting, Private Residence, Los Angeles, CA
Collections - Works held in private collections throughout the United States
Artistic Influences
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Carl Jung - The father of analytical psychology, Jung's theories on universal symbols, consciousness, and dreams deeply resonate with Brianna. His book "Man and His Symbols" holds a special place in her heart, serving as a constant source of guidance and inspiration. Brianna cherishes the book so much that she carries it in her purse wherever she goes, always seeking insight from Jung's profound understanding of the human psyche.
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Alan Lomax - A pivotal figure in the exploration of Blues Music, Lomax's work became the spark that ignited Brianna's first exhibition idea. His findings in music became a driving force behind her decision to pursue additional courses in Music and Art, providing her with the necessary skills to curate a captivating exhibition that showcases the rich history and emotion of Blues Music.
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Dean Bragonier - Through his empowering TedTalk on Dyslexia, Bragonier changed Brianna's perception of herself. Instead of feeling hindered, she now embraces her dyslexic identity as a source of power and creativity. Bragonier's inspiring outlook on dyslexia gave her the confidence to explore and express herself through her art without limitations.
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Benjamin Hoff - The thought-provoking book "The Tao of Pooh" deeply moved Brianna and inspired her to create the lyrical poem "Just Be." Hoff's wisdom continues to resonate with her, reminding her to find harmony and authenticity in her life and art every day.
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Brad Blanton - Through his book "Radical Honesty," Blanton led Brianna to embrace the art of truth-telling, sparking transformative changes in both her life and artistic expression. Honesty became a guiding principle, infusing her work with raw emotion and authenticity.
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Linda Lopez - As Brianna's Contemporary Art Theory and Practice professor, Linda Lopez left an indelible mark on her artistic journey. Through Lopez's mentorship, Brianna gained invaluable lessons and educational tools that encouraged her to take creative risks and delve deep into her artistic process, leading to profound personal and artistic growth.
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John Lennon and Yoko Ono - The dynamic duo of John Lennon and Yoko Ono have been powerful role models for Brianna in her pursuit of art as a means of promoting peace and humanity. She finds solace and inspiration in the way they express their creativity and advocate for social change.
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Stevie Wonder - Brianna's artistic process often involves the soulful melodies of Stevie Wonder's music, particularly albums like "Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants" and "Songs in the Key of Life." Wonder's music has been a constant companion in her artistic endeavors, propelling her to use her art as a medium to advocate for humanity, equality, and self-expression.
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Joan Miró - As a major figure in the abstract expressionist movement, Joan Miró's works have always been a wellspring of inspiration for Brianna. His bold approach to art encourages her to take creative risks and draw inspiration from the depths of her subconscious.
Overall, Brianna draws inspiration from a range of different fields like psychology, music, literature, and visual arts. Their collective influence has shaped her artistic identity, prompting her to explore new ideas and approaches. If anyone is curious to learn more about her art and influences, they can easily reach out through the contact information provided on her home page.