Patricia O'Brian

Patricia O'Brien's artistic journey took off in 1977 when she first exhibited her work at the Upper Street Gallery in London. This initial exhibition marked the beginning of a flourishing career that would see her gain representation by Stephen Bartley and participate in numerous international exhibitions. From 1981, O'Brien's talent and unique artistic vision caught the attention of the Royal Academy. She participated in the prestigious Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, a renowned annual event that showcases the best of contemporary art. John Russell Taylor, an esteemed critic, hailed O'Brien as an "out-and-out discovery" in his review of the 1989 Royal Academy Summer Show. In a remarkable testament to the impact of her work, O'Brien's painting titled "The Fruit Eaters" became the main promotional press image for the Royal Academy Summer Show in 1990.

Throughout Patricia O'Brien's body of work, the female figure takes centre stage, becoming a focal point of her compositions. O'Brien delves into the complexities of human relationships, exploring their dynamics, inviting viewers to interpret and question the narratives presented. O'Brien repeatedly portrays three figures, possibly a connotation to her own complicated relationships. Her works exude an intense visual poetry, compelling viewers to unravel the stories behind each character and scene portrayed on the canvas. O'Brien creates a sense of stillness in her work, capturing a fleeting moment suspended in time. There is a mystical and disquieting quality to her pieces, evoking a sense of melancholy that adds depth and complexity to the overall atmosphere. The deliberate absence of traditional perspective in O'Brien's work contributes to her distinctive style, along with a subdued colour palette and meticulous composition of objects and figures within the surrealist landscapes.

In 1972, Patricia O'Brien made the decision to settle down in the perfume capital of France, Grasse. Drawn to the allure of its mountainous landscapes and expansive vistas, these majestic surroundings served as a prominent influence in her work. Patricia O'Brien's artwork is a captivating blend of surrealist iconography and Renaissance influences, creating a unique and distinctive style. She was especially drawn to fifteenth century Italian artists such as Sandro Botticelli and Piero della Francesca whose focus on exquisite attention to detail, with a particular emphasis on depicting the human form with individuality, empathy, and sensitivity, inspired her. Humanism permeates O'Brien's work, as she delves deep into the layers of emotions experienced by her figures and situates them within the natural world, infusing her paintings with spiritual meaning.