Guilty Pleasures
The MAC presents Guilty Pleasures by Brittany Coburn, an exhibition that explores the vices, comforts, and coping mechanisms we carry with us as we navigate the complexities of living in the world we love. Functioning both as a new body of work and a retrospective of Coburn’s ongoing research into mental health, Guilty Pleasures examines how seemingly indulgent habits—often dismissed as weaknesses—can instead serve as tools for survival, self-soothing, and resilience.
Working in a wide range of materials, from wood and resin to found-object installation, Coburn employs polished finishes, bright colors, bold language, and layered symbolism to create work that initially appears playful, bubbly, and inviting. Upon closer inspection, satire gives way to sincerity, revealing deeper conversations about anxiety, shame, desire, and emotional endurance. This visual duality reflects a central truth in Coburn’s practice: not everything is as it appears. By softening the initial entry point, her work creates space for viewers to confront difficult subjects with greater openness and empathy.
At its core, Guilty Pleasures is an affirmation of shared experience. Coburn’s work speaks directly to those who may be struggling, offering a quiet but powerful reassurance: you are seen, you are heard, and you are not alone. Rooted in the belief that art can challenge stigma and spark necessary dialogue, this exhibition invites viewers to reconsider their own “guilty pleasures” not as faults, but as evidence of the deeply human effort to cope, heal, and move forward.
Artist Website:
Events and Receptions
Artist Workshop and Lecture: Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 4PM
FREE ADMISSION
McEachern Art Center: 332 Second Street, Macon, GA 31201
Opening Reception: Friday, Feb. 6 at 6PM
FREE ADMISSION
Light Bites and Refreshments will be served
McEachern Art Center: 332 Second Street, Macon, GA 31201
Content Advisory: This exhibition includes mature imagery involving tobacco, drugs, medicine, and related themes. Viewer discretion advised.