New version of an old photo from Northern Ireland. I’m giving a digital printing demo tomorrow and I think I’ll be using this as my demo image. I’m excited to finally get a good copy of this on paper.
Specs: Nikon D60, 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6, Photoshop 5.5, A3+ Hahnemühle Glossy Fine Art Photo Rag, Epson 4880 pro
- panf
The Traveler (Illuminated)
Mixed Media
9”x9”x9”
Joe O’Brien
This is the first piece from a new series
Better views of 9.1 (installed). The other eight sculptures are in production now, along with a new series of work.
Joe O’Brien
9.1 (installed)
MDF, Paint, Lights, Dirt, Inkjet Print, Mounting Board, Paint
9.5”x9.5”x6”
This is the first of nine structures that will be created to display each of the images from the series 9. The construction of the next 8 boxes is the last phase of this project. The book about this series went to press today, I should have the first copy within a week of the new year, and a full suite of prints has already been made.
Top: All three pieces of the Juniper Tree series displayed together.
Left: Juniper Tree (I), Silver Gelatin Print, Rives BFK, Thread, Ink, Wall paint.
Center: Juniper Tree (II&III), Silver Gelatin Print, Rives BFK, Thread, Ink, Wall paint.
Right: Juniper Tree (IV), Silver Gelatin Print, Rives BFK, Thread, Ink, Wall paint.
The Juniper Tree series was inspired by a Brothers Grimm fable of the same name. In the fable, a young boy’s stepmother kills him to prevent him from inheriting his father’s wealth. His half-sister buries his bones under a juniper tree. My work explores the relationship between the half-sister and her brother’s skeletal remains in a series of non-sequential tableaus. The use of red ink, thread, and printmaking paper are visual references to the narrative and physical aesthetics of old stories and the books in which they were printed and bound.
Joe O’Brien 2012
This will probably be my last post from Ireland, but over the next few weeks I’ll be processing and posting more images from my time here. After that I’ll continue to post my artwork on this blog, so stay tuned if you wish.
I’ve had a fantastic time abroad and really wish I could stay at BCA for another semester or two… or three or four. If you ever want to get in contact with me just use the “ask” button at the top of this page, or email me at jtpobrien(at)aol.com
9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9
Inkjet prints (editions of 15)
These 9 prints are currently on display at Fourteen to 1 in Ballyvaughan, County Clare. The original photos are darkroom prints that were manipulated using a process called mordancage. This is one of several manifestations of these nine images, there are is also a photo-sculpture piece and a softcover book that contains information on the thinking behind the series, and the process of constructing the series. More photos of the show, and other aspects of the series will follow.
Tower of Beauty
60x60x165cm
Wood, Medium Density Fiberboard, Paint, Found Object
Joe O’Brien 2012
Sorry again for the long period of silence between posts. I promise the next post will have photos of the show that’s going on in the school’s gallery now. The mixed media class I’m in put it on, and I ended up arranging all the lighting. These photos are from The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.
This was the view from the back patio here a week or two ago. Sorry for the lack of updates lately, mid-semester critiques are about a week away so I’ve been in the studio a lot. Hopefully I should have more photos to show in a week or two!
