Born in 1995 in Houston, TX, Preston Douglas delves into the interconnected realms of painting, fashion, sound, performance, and installation. His artistic journey commenced in the realm of fashion, which later segued into painting. The pivot was fueled by his fascination for the 2D representation of his fashion projects rather than the practical utility of the garments themselves. He found painting to be an ideal conduit for his passion for image creation, and it allowed him to apply his extensive knowledge of and personal experience with fashion fabrics and printing techniques.

Douglas challenges the traditional conventions of painting that restrict artists to the use of canvas and linen as fabrics, and a brush and paint as tools. Instead, he celebrates the inherent sculptural attributes of painting. His recent work involves seeing the stretcher bar as a body, upon which he drapes and stretches fabric just as he would on a human figure. Douglas grapples with the inherent flatness of printed paintings, and his recent CTHRUME paintings, incorporating transparent fabric, are his innovative solutions to this challenge.

In each of his fashion-inspired projects, there exists an underlying element of performance and installation that Douglas strives to transition into the gallery space. This approach adds dynamism to his paintings and shapes a deliberate environment conducive to eliciting spiritual experiences for the viewers.

Douglas has exhibited his work in London, New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Houston, and has curated exhibitions in New York, Houston, and even online. In 2021, he was invited to the Macedonia Institute Residency in Chatham and received the Rauschenberg New York Foundation for the Arts grant. Prior to moving to New York, he served as Mark Flood’s lead studio assistant.