Kelly O’Brien | Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Kelly O’Brien

Kelly O'Brien

She/Her
www.kosculpture.com
yeskellyo@gmail.com
Interdisciplinary, Painting, Sculpture
Online/Remote

BIO

I find value in disregarded cultural trash. Our decompression tendencies expose our guilty pleasures. We choose to disengage, and the distraction is a privilege. Can worth be reinstated to this slacker behavior if examined against art history? Through satirical humor, I hope to suggest a critique of our learned art world, challenging obvious assumptions we routinely accept and enact. Stereotypes and generalizations of hierarchical materials visually wrestle for the spotlight. Expectations of what is considered historically or culturally valuable are exaggerated for these compositional battles. With heroic art practices such as oil painting and the structural trust gained through my sculptural forms, I defend the integrity of conceptual art.

MENTORSHIP & TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

With blurred distinctions between sculpture and painting in my own work, I encourage cross-disciplinary study in various media. I push students to think beyond the obvious and choose material and subject matter with great intent. I believe instructors of all disciplines should inspire enthusiasm amongst one another to build not only a well-rounded curriculum, but capable and inspired students as well. Beyond helping students in class, it is also my goal to foster motivation and exceptional work ethic in their future academic and professional practice.