The profound sensitivity in Justin Liam O'Brien's works manifests through figurative paintings that portray social interactions abounding tactility while evoking sensations of solitude and melancholy. His meticulous craftsmanship, influenced by his background in digital arts and 3D animation, presents soft-edged figures in precisely executed compositions. Drawing from his personal experiences as a queer millennial navigating an era of unparalleled unease, O’Brien crafts narratives that resonate universally. Yet, within the serene surroundings of his compositions, O'Brien's works are charged with tension. Silent moments imbued with pathos that speak of internalised emotions of inadequacy, self-doubt, and powerlessness.
Identity, isolation, sadness, and humour emerge as O'Brien's recurring themes, explored within a changing world. His artistry, guided by a profound sensitivity and introspection, focuses on the emotional intensity of everyday moments. Tenderness, intimacy, and contemplation come alive in his memorable oil paintings and drawings. Engaging gazes from the depicted figures carry a touch of gloom, evoking vulnerability and the complexities of the human experience.
Central to O'Brien's distinctive artistic work is a style that bears immediate recognition, characterized by the connection between the body and architecture, often portraying individuals in settings that convey a sense of claustrophobia and disorientation. They derive inspiration from his recent exploration of Renaissance and Baroque art. The characters in O’Brien’s paintings are frequently family members, close friends and the artist himself. These figures, adorned with curvaceous lines and resplendent with smooth, flat colour tints, meticulously applied using a bold palette and restrained employment of subtle colour gradients, carry a profound sense of tranquillity.
Justin Liam O'Brien (b. 1991 in Flushing, New York) received a BFA in Digital Arts and 3D Animation from Pratt Institute in New York City in 2016. Recent solo and group exhibitions include After Dark, Newchild, Antwerp (2024); All Sunsets Risen, Semiose, Paris (2024, solo); Physical Education, Marinaro, New York (2023, solo); Snakes in the Grass, Newchild, Antwerp (2023); Vespers, Richard Heller Gallery, Los Angeles (2022, solo); Parallel Universe, Bradley Ertaskiran, Montreal (2022); Dreams, Monya Rowe Gallery, New York (2021, solo); Equal Affections, curated by Edwin Oostmeijer, Grimm Gallery, Amsterdam (2021); Horses?, Chart Gallery, New York (2021); When Acting As A Wave, Richard Heller Gallery, Los Angeles (2020, solo). His work is part of numerous public and private collections, such as The Beth Rudin DeWoody Collection, USA; The Hall Art Foundation, USA and Fundación Medianoche Cero, Spain. The artist lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.