Brad R. Kunkle

Brad R. Kunkle (b. March 26, 1978) is an American artist. His works have been shown in numerous exhibitions in the United States and Europe, as well as the opening title sequence of the Netflix show Ann with an E. 
== Early life and education ==
Kunkle was born in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, in 1978. His earliest published drawings were for the cover of a nature conservancy newsletter, Wildlife Activist. Hi Fructose magazine cites the natural world as one of Kunkle's early influences.J. L. Schnabel, "Against Nature: The Paintings of Brad Kunkle," Hi Fructose vol. 25, 2010, page 106
Kunkle earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Kutztown University, studying under George Sorrels.Samantha Levin, "Interview with Brad Kunkle," Beinart Gallery, January 2015. A guest lecture by illustrator Donato Giancola in Kunkle's class led to his switch from art education to fine arts. Micki Cavanah, "Brad Kunkle: The Masterful Use of Gold & Silver Leaf in Fine Art," The Gilder's Tip (vol 29, no 1), Winter 2015, pages 11-12.. At Kutztown, Kunkle developed his own style of grisaille or "the use of a limited color palette that was also used by Flemish masters Jan van Eyck and Robert Campin."J. L. Schnabel, "Against Nature: The Paintings of Brad Kunkle," Hi Fructose vol. 25, 2010, page 106
Following his formal education, Kunkle began to incorporate gold and silver leaf in his work after visiting the Louvre (Paris) in 2007. Micki Cavanah, "Brad Kunkle: The Masterful Use of Gold & Silver Leaf in Fine Art," The Gilder's Tip (vol 29, no 1), Winter 2015, pages 11-12.
== Career ==
Kunkle moved to New York City and participated in a group show at Arcadia Contemporary Gallery in 2009 called International Introductions. In 2010, he exhibited his first solo show at Arcadia Contemporary Gallery called Against Nature. He has had five additional shows at Arcadia Contemporary in New York and Los Angeles, including his latest, Palisades, in 2024. He also participated in numerous group shows abroad.
== Themes ==
Kunkle's paintings often feature figures adorned with gold leaf set against natural landscapes with silver-leafed skies or backdrops.Caro, "Brad Kunkle's Gold Leaf Paintings Featured in New Short Film," Hi Fructose March 15, 2016. His compositions explore femininity, nature, and the passage of time.Samantha Levin, "Interview with Brad Kunkle," Beinart Gallery, January 2015, https://beinart.org/blogs/articles/interview-brad-kunkle
Over the course of his career, Kunkle's works have been featured in multiple publications, including Lapham's Quarterly, Huffington Post, the Lunar Codex, and A BEHOLDEN PURPOSE, a film directed by Brennan Stasiewicz. 
In the December, 2014 issue of American Art Collector, Kunkle cited the influence of writer Joseph Campbell on his work. Kunkle and Campbell share the same date of birth (March 26). Joshua Rose, "Belonging & Becoming: Brad Kunkle offers a Multimedia Investigation into the Journeys and Paths of One's Life," American Art Collector, December, 2014, pages 68-71.
In an April, 2020 interview in American Art Collector, Kunkle points to "magical thinking" as "an endless source of inspiration."Michael Clawson, "The Alchemist: Brad Kunkle turns lead into silver and gold for his newest show at Arcadia Contemporary," American Art Collector, April 2020.
Category:1978 births
Category:American artists
Category:Kutztown University alumni