This poetic photographic diptych reinterprets the myth of Tantalus through an elegant juxtaposition of human form and botanical nature. The left panel presents a striking profile portrait of a young man emerging from darkness through low-key lighting, paired on the right with a delicate macro view of a blooming white magnolia flower, hinting at themes of desire, temptation, and yearning. Created as part of Michael James O'Brien's In Spite of Dreams series (2020), the artwork fuses analogue and digital techniques to subvert classic narratives from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Printed on archival fine art paper, this limited-edition suite delivers sophisticated narrative tension and visual balance for serious art collectors.
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 - Tantalus, Diptych, 2020. By Michael James O'Brien
Tantalus (Diptych), 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.
