This compelling photographic diptych explores the interplay between living human form and classical architectural antiquity. The left panel features a portrait of a young man with golden curls gazing forward against a dark backdrop, paired on the right with a massive stone sculpture fragment of a hand pointing upward. Part of Michael James O'Brien's In Spite of Dreams series (2020), this piece blends analogue and digital techniques to subvert classical myths from Ovid's Metamorphoses into a personal visual narrative. Printed on archival museum-grade fine art paper, this limited-edition work offers a profound meditation on time, sculpture, and vitality, serving as a standout addition to contemporary photography collections.
A combination of analog and digital compositions based on ideas from Ovid's Metamorphoses, deconstructed and subverted according to his own narrative. MJO, 2021.
This stunning color photograph captures a figurative scene that transports you to a moment of serene contemplation.
Acquire this exclusive limited-edition diptych online today or contact our gallery curators for personalized art advisory.
Color Photography - Campidoglio, Diptych, 2020. By Michael James O'Brien
Campidoglio (Diptych), 2013-2020
In Spite of dreams Series
Printed on Hahnemuhle fine art paper
Dimensions:
Image size: 30 H x 40 W in.
Edition of 7 + 2AP
Unframed
Michael James O’Brien is a multifaceted artist based in Atlanta, GA, known for his work as a photographer, teacher, curator, poet, and activist. He has held solo exhibitions in major cities worldwide, including New York, Paris, Beijing, and Istanbul. His photography is part of the National Portrait Gallery’s permanent collection in London and has been featured in esteemed publications such as Rolling Stone, Vogue UK, The New Yorker, and The Guardian. O'Brien authored Girlfriend; Men, Women, and Drag, published by Random House, and contributed to Matthew Barney’s Drawing Restraint 7 and Cremaster series. A dedicated activist, he has been involved with ACTUP and various HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns, including the Love Ball and Live Positive Campaign. Currently, he serves as the Chair of Photography at the Savannah College of Art and Design and chairs the Advisory Council of Atlanta Celebrates Photography.
