Brian Butler, Paradise and Fries

THIRD LEVEL

Brian Butler

2005

Paradise and Fries by Miami artist Brian Butler, is a playful and irresistible celebration of the South Florida lifestyle. Known for his whimsical illustrative style, Butler has collaborated with such brands as Target, Tumblr, Converse, The Miami Heat and Pabst Blue Ribbon.
In Paradise and Fries, a sprawling mural in Aventura Mall’s food court, Butler combines elements emblematic of Florida flora and fauna with typical fast food offerings. Flamingos fawn over cheeseburgers and a gator balances a tall milkshake in a fun-filled composition that also features a smiling sun, a lush pineapple, palm trees, flowers, waves, and a map of the state. Rendered in various shades of green against a gray background, the essentially monochromatic mural delivers a surprising burst of riotous energy as the protagonists contort and gyrate in a sun-kissed tropical dance.
Butler is a music aficionado whose illustrations have been featured in leading music festivals. His work has been exhibited nationally with Superchief Gallery, Subliminal Projects, and Simmons University's Trustman Gallery, to name a few.