Paul O'Brien

Artist Statement

My passion is combining acrylic with text-based collage. I was first inspired to use typography in my work because it creates such fine detail. Having worked in graphic design I felt comfortable with the relationship between collage and paint. Early works had too much of a graphic feel and it became important for me to seek a deeper quality within my painting. I have resisted the temptation to use headlines in my work, as small print creates a fine mesh, which adds to the work, whereas large text can be distracting. This approach may change as my work evolves and I tread a finer line between art and design. Balancing the opacity of paint has become as important to me as mixing colour, as transparency is vital for the text to show through. I play with this balance until I am satisfied that I have successfully communicated the underlying message of the piece. The inspiration for my work often comes from an article I have read or simply the beauty of the text itself, with reoccurring themes of communication, society and decay. Each painting has its own back-story and I like to think that every painting is a new interpretation of the original article. Communication through structure rather than language is where I am currently focusing my attention and my recent sketches are reflecting more architectural forms. I am very much looking forward to taking this further in larger paintings.