Paul Gauguin’s famous painting in 1897 asks: “Whence do we come? What are we? Whither are we going?” Mark Bryan would add, “Why do we screw everything up?”

Mark Bryan’s paintings react to what is currently going on in the world politically and socially, but portrays his stories with a sense of humor and exaggeration, as any proper satirist would. His paintings are colorful and laced with symbolism, often containing subtle and multiple meanings. He often loads his paintings with frivolous and stupid ideas committed by the human race.

Bread and Circus originates from the Roman satirist Juvenal. The idea was that as long as the common people were supplied with plenty of bread and entertainment, then there would not be too much trouble for the ruling class. They could go about their business as they pleased without much scrutiny or interference. Juvenal’s stance was that since life in Rome had become so corrupt and decadent that the only valid form of art was satire.

The meanings behind some of his works are not subtle at all while others are open to many interpretations. He declares, “I think I possess an underlying disappointment with human nature that makes itself apparent in my work.” His absurd narratives and exaggerated interpretations, opens the viewers to comments without turning them off. Bryan’s paintings are at best irrational dreams. His narratives are fun, witty, incongruent and express the mystery of his mind.