Between Sets

Between Sets captures a quiet pause on a tennis court, where a solitary player stands before a richly layered backdrop of trees. Turquoise, soft blue and muted green are interrupted by touches of violet and warm orange. Loose oil brushwork contrasts with the fine lines of the fencing and court, allowing the figure and surroundings to merge into a scene that feels partly observed, partly remembered.
Drawing on the familiar setting of a local tennis court, the painting explores solitude within an active, social space. The player appears suspended between movement and stillness, bringing attention to the quieter moments within everyday routines.

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Bryan An is a Sydney-based contemporary artist and a finalist in the 2026 Hornsby Art Prize. His paintings explore human emotion, identity and the subtle tensions within everyday life.

Formally trained in oil painting at the Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts, Bryan later developed an extensive career in film post-production, animation and art direction. These experiences continue to shape his distinctive visual language, particularly his strong compositions, dramatic use of colour and cinematic approach to storytelling.

Bryan’s paintings often place figures within psychologically charged or ambiguous settings. Rather than presenting a fixed narrative, he uses gesture, expression, symbolism and spatial tension to invite viewers to form their own interpretations. Familiar moments are transformed into scenes that feel both intimate and theatrical.

Working primarily in oil and acrylic, Bryan combines expressive brushwork with bold colour and carefully structured compositions. His practice moves between figurative painting, portraiture and contemporary narrative imagery.

Now living and working in Sydney, Bryan continues to develop a distinctive body of work informed by his cross-cultural experience and enduring interest in human behaviour, relationships and the private emotions beneath outward appearances.