Michael James O’Brien

Jem Jender, Portrait. Studio, NYC. Limited edition B&W photograph.

1992

Men, Women, and Drag, draws inspiration from his diverse roles as a photographer, poet, and activist. His work often intersects with themes of identity, social justice, and cultural ...

Men, Women, and Drag, draws inspiration from his diverse roles as a photographer, poet, and activist. His work often intersects with themes of identity, social justice, and cultural ...

Men, Women, and Drag, draws inspiration from his diverse roles as a photographer, poet, and activist. His work often intersects with themes of identity, social justice, and cultural commentary. O’Brien's photographss highlig his ability to capture the human experience with depth and nuance. His involvement in activism, particularly with HIV/AIDS awareness and support, further informs his artistic perspective, making his work both impactful and deeply personal. Michael James O’Brien draws inspiration from his diverse roles as a photographer, poet, and activist. His work often intersects with themes of identity, social justice, and cultural commentary. O'Brien produced a diverse body of photographic work, from still lifes and portraits to art documentation. He still uses film and works in medium and large formats. His themes are not classical, the artist prefers to portray extraordiary beuty, transgender people and still lifes. The artist's images have a sense of discovery and loss; absence and presence. From the Series Girlfriend Printed on Hahnemuhle fine art photo rag paper Dimension for each print is 22 in. H x 17 in. W (The overall size composition of the entire portfolio is: 66 in. H x 51 in. W) Limited Edition of 10 + 2AP All these portraits were made on tri-x BW film with a Pentax 6 x 7 photographed in Natural Light. 1. Lavinia (Girlfriend), NYC, 1992 “I came to Manhattan with just a handbag” - Lavinia Co-op 2. Ebony Jet (Girlfriend), NYC, 1992 “We’re all born naked, everything else is drag” - RuPaul Charles 3. Miss Guy (Girlfriend), NYC, 1992 “You’ve got your mother in a whirl; she’s not sure if you’re a boy or a girl.” - David Bowie, Rebel, Rebel 4. Ming Vauze (Benjamin Liu) NYC, 1992 “Impersonation is the supreme act of creation.” - Yukio Mishima...

“Holly came from Miami, F-L-A, Hitchhiked her way across the USA. Plucked her eyebrows on the way; shaved her legs and then he was a she. She said, ‘Hey, Babe, take a walk on the wil...

Jennifer Greenburg challenges social norms and the nature of vernacular photographs in her series Revising History. Interjecting herself in mid-century images from the 1940’s – 60’s,...

Joe Kelly Untitled Portrait II Black and White Photograph Year: circa late 70s Image Size: 7x5.5in Sheet Size: 10x8in Unsigned Ref.: 924802-1711 * Slight soiling top left. Image int...

Michelle - Signed limited edition archival pigment print, 1997 - Edition of 5 This image was captured on film. The negative was scanned creating a digital file which was the...

An original signed archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag® Baryta 315 gsm paper by Scottish artist Ian Sanderson (1951- 2020) titled ‘ Morgane ‘ who was captured on film in ...