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ABOUT THE ARTIST
Kellianne
O’Brien’s paintings and
sculpture are born of a
spirituality which derives
from overcoming a very
difficult past. In 1994 Ms.
O’Brien began to
experience catastrophic
psychiatric difficulties.
While enduring what St. John
of the Cross
describes as "Dark Night(s)
of the Soul," Ms.
O’Brien created art that
both encouraged and
reflected the spiritual
awakening through which she
healed her illness.
As
an undergraduate student of
French and Philosophy, Ms.
O’Brien spent a year in
Nice, France, where she was deeply
influenced by the
extraordinary beauty and
unique light of the
Mediterranean
. Later, in 1999, she
participated in the
International Mental Health
Network Conference in
Ennis, Ireland.
She was moved by the
colors she saw in the
country of her ancestry.
Upon returning to the
United States
, she created a series of
paintings that reflected the
great beauty of the Irish
countryside.
Ms.
O’Brien’s paintings and
sculpture continue to
reflect her inner journey.
She says she is grateful for
the joy art brings to
her life. A devout Irish
Catholic, Ms. O’Brien
views her painting and
sculpting not only as acts
of artistic reverence but
also as passionate
expressions of spirituality.
One viewer likened the
effect of her work to
“being in a cathedral.”
In
1998 Ms. O’Brien’s
recovery through her art led
her to become the first
person who was hired by the
State of
Wisconsin
to advocate for people
recovering from psychiatric
disorders.
Ms. O'Brien's artwork has been exhibited in St. Thomas, Barcelona, Mallorca, Greece, Montreal and Rome.
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