We’ve all heard of mash-up songs. Maybe you were once a fan of “Glee” or grew up listening to rap music. At some point, we’ve all been introduced to the idea of a mash-up. However, mash-ups as an art form seem to end there. Or, at least, that’s what I thought before I met Matthew Brennan IV. A Providence-based artist, he has delighted fans with his pop culture paintings for a decade.
Brennan is the genius behind the mash-up art form he calls “Two Thangs.” He takes two pop culture references that have seemingly no correlation and uses them to create a brilliant piece of art. Since 2015, Brennan has been creating his Two Thangs paintings for delighted customers. Brennan’s goal has always been to “make art accessible, personal, and deeply meaningful for people.” He views his art as “A celebration of shared human experience, reflected through the lens of pop culture.” It’s clear to see that his Two Thangs paintings hold a special place for his customers. However, what’s fun about Two Thangs is that the pop culture pieces also hold something personal for those who never commissioned them.
Each work of art starts with customers bringing Brennan two things they’d like in the painting. These tend to be pop culture references personally significant to the owner. After commission, prints of the artwork are for sale on his website at twothangs.com. Each print comes in several sizes. Some prints are even available as puzzles.
Brennan has created artwork for customers worldwide. Additionally, several paintings have reached viral status on social media – sparking intense online debates. He is the creator of the Bettie Page/Divine Mural. It’s visible from Interstate 5 in Seattle and is a beloved local landmark. His print of John Waters and Mr. Rodgers became part of the career retrospective of the famous director. It’s currently on exhibit at the Academy Awards Museum in downtown Los Angeles. He also has a piece of art displayed in Boston City Hall and galleries in Seattle, Providence, Boston, and New York City.
Great art sparks conversation. It demands interpretation and begs us to ask questions to understand its meaning. That’s what makes Brennan’s Two Thangs pieces so special. The pop culture references build curiosity about the painting, and why people commissioned them.
After a decade of Two Thangs paintings and over 300 commissioned pieces, Brennan decided to provide a more personal story behind his viral artwork. His first book, Anythang & Everythang: The Tale of Why Weird Paintings Were Made, is a behind-the-scenes look into some of his commissioned pieces. The book celebrates 42 commissioned designs. Anythang & Everythang shares the personal stories behind some of his most popular pieces. Each interview includes a picture of the owners with the painting inside their home. Brennan also shares the creative process with alternative sketches and other behind-the-scenes details.
Brennan has a book release for Anythang & Everythang on Saturday, August 24, at Nolan’s Corner Pub in PVD from 5 – 7pm. He will also have a Two Thangs wiener contest, where people can bring their most inspired wiener concoctions with two toppings. There will be judges, a special prize for the winner, and opportunities to score free swag! Come buy the book before it’s published on September 6.