CV
EDUCATION
2012
Master of Fine Art, Sculpture. Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
2008
Bachelor of Fine Art, Sculpture. Cum Laude. Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY
Bachelor of Fine Art, Painting. Cum Laude. Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY
Bachelor of Art, Philosophy. Cum Laude. Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2019
The Phipps Center for the Arts, Hudson, WI (forthcoming)
2016
Role Model, Ditch Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
2015
Kulture High, Soo Visual Arts Center, Minneapolis, MN
2013
BULGE: an Installation by Kelly O’Brien, Greer Museum, University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, OH
2012
Invasive Synthetics, Red Mill Gallery at Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT
Under the Rainbow, Girl/Boy Gallery at Ox-Bow, Saugatuck, MI
Putting Lipstick on a Sculpture, Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, Atlanta, GA
Glitz!, Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition, Ernest G. Welch Gallery at Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
2008
Last Call, Bachelor of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition, Gallery 234, Buffalo, NY
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2019
Midwest Artist-in-Residence, The Soap Factory, Minneapolis, MN (forthcoming)
2018
Spatial Dichotomy, Two Person Show with Nick Kovatch, Waller-Yoblonsky Gallery, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
2017
Proof of the Pudding, Two Person Show with Heather Greenway, Kibbee Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Garage Sale Show, Art Fly Gallery, Eau Claire, WI
Group Show, Gallery 360, Minneapolis, MN
2016
Selected Works (Invitation Only), Public Functionary, Minneapolis, MN
Dash is Dead (Invitation Only), Sponsored by Scout Mob, Curated by Dashboard, Ponce City Market, Atlanta, GA
Haunted Basement (Invitation Only), The Soap Factory, Minneapolis, MN
Get Lucky Art Auction (Invitation Only), Soo Visual Arts Center, Minneapolis, MN
2015
PAINTING, The LOW Museum of Contemporary Culture, Atlanta, GA
20th Annual Arts in Harmony 2015 International Show, Elk River Area Arts Alliance, Elk River, MN
Icebreaker 6: National Juried Exhibition, Juried by Lauren Wright, Ice Cube Gallery, Denver, CO
2014
34th Annual Art Auction (Invitation Only), Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass Village, CO
ART PAPERS Art Auction, (Invitation Only), Mason Murer Fine Art, Atlanta, GA
2013
100 at 100 Juried Alumni Exhibition, Juried by Jerry Cullum, Ernest G. Welch Gallery at Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
ART PAPERS Art Auction, (Invitation Only), Mason Murer Fine Art, Atlanta, GA
BooMCity, Annual Dashboard Featured Artists Exhibition, M.Rich Building, Atlanta, GA
2012
Arrest Me, International Juried Exhibition, Juried by Scott Lawrimore (Frye Art Museum), PUNCH Gallery, Seattle, WA
Glitz: Art that Sparkles, Juried by Carrie Patterson and Sally Otis, Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center, Dowell, MD
21st Annual National Juried Exhibition, Juried by Ethan Karp (OK Harris Gallery), Art Institute & Gallery, Salisbury, MD
From Cosmology to Neurology and Back Again, Curated by Dr. Jerry Cullum, Whitespace Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Create, Destroy, Rebuild, Beep Beep Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Hambidge Art Auction and Performance Gala, The Goat Farm, Atlanta, GA
The Welch School 2012 Juried Student Exhibition, Juried by Nicole Eisenman, Ernest G. Welch Gallery at Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
The Drawing Show, Kibbee Gallery, Atlanta, GA
2011
Aqua 11 Art Miami, Aqua Hotel, Miami Beach, FL
Happy Endings, Two Person Show, Cornbred Gallery, Atlanta, GA
TEETH:HAIR:GOLD, Studio 900, Atlanta, GA
Hambidge Art Auction and Performance Gala, Solo Room Installation, Bradford Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Anima & Animus, Young Blood Gallery, Atlanta, GA
BRING IT., Landmark Arts- Galleries of Texas Tech School of Art, Lubbock, TX
2010
Feral Flirtations: Artists Playing with Animals, Three-Artist Sculpture Exhibition, Kibbee Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Plastic, Eyedrum Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Wet Hot American Mixer, The Goat Farm, Atlanta, GA
AMERICA, MINT Gallery, Atlanta, GA
The Blotter Show, Kibbee Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Castleberry Hill First Friday Art Stroll, The Granite Room, Atlanta, GA
Not You: Self-Portrait Show, MINT Gallery, Atlanta, GA
2009
In the Nick of Time, Kibbee Gallery, Atlanta, GA
New Buffalo Artists Exhibition, Center for Inquiry, Amherst, NY
Mid Summer's Night Fire Sculpture Celebration, Pedvale Open Air Museum, Sculpture Park, Sabile, Latvia
2008
Tri-Mania, Tri-Main Center and Buffalo Arts Studio, Buffalo, NY
2008 Annual Fine Arts Student Exhibition, Award for Best Sculptor, Upton Gallery, Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY
Mobility Across the Ages, Solo Room Installation, Buffalo Central Terminal, Buffalo, NY
2007
Sculpture Symposium, Cast Iron Exhibition, Pirkkala, Finland
2006
2006 Annual Art Education Juried Exhibition, Award for Best Painting, Upton Gallery, Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY
COMMISSIONS
2016
Babies in Space, Educational Installation for The Alliance Theater at the Woodruff Art Center, Atlanta, GA
2013
TEDxPeachtree, Stage Installation for TEDxTalk, Buckhead Theater, Atlanta, GA
2011
Water Works: Phase 1, Fountain Sculpture Installation, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA
RESIDENCIES/WORKSHOPS
2019
Midwest Artist-in-Residence, The Soap Factory, Minneapolis, MN (forthcoming)
2013
Visiting Artist-in-Residence, University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, OH
2012
Vermont Studio Center, Winter Artist-in-Residence, Johnson, VT
Ox-Bow School of Art, Fall Artist-in-Residence, Saugatuck, MI
Outside the White Cube Sculpture Workshop, Instructed by Yumi Janairo Roth, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass Village, CO
AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
2016
Joan Mitchell Emerging Artist Award, nominee
2015
McKnight Visual Artist Fellowship, Administered by MCAD, Minneapolis, MN
http://mcad.edu/events-fellowships/2015-mcknight-visual-artist-fellowships-recipients-announced
2014
Finalist, 2014/15 Jerome Foundation Fellowship for Emerging Artists, MCAD, Minneapolis, MN
JIT Faculty Research Grant, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI
2013
Representation (Juried) by DASHBOARD CO-OP, Atlanta, GA
Semifinalist, FEED2013 International Juried Biennial Exhibition, 1708 Gallery, Richmond, VA
Painting & Drawing Merit Scholarship, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass Village, CO
2012
Artist Grant, Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT
Ox-Bow Scholarship Funded by the Joan Mitchell Foundation, Saugatuck, MI
Dave Bown Projects, http://davebownprojects.com/kelly_obrien.html Unrestricted monetary award to visual artists. Juried by Diane Mullin (Weisman Art Museum), Ron Platt (Modern and Contemporary Art at the Birmingham Museum of Art), and Mónica Ramírez-Montagut, (Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum)
Semifinalist, VCUarts Fountainhead Fellowship, Department of Painting + Printmaking, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Sculpture Merit Scholarship, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass Village, CO
Welch School of Art and Design Director’s Award, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
2011
Dedalus Foundation Master of Fine Art Fellowship, Nominee, New York, NY
2009
Sande H. Zirlin Award, Fine Arts Scholarship, Albany, NY
Sculpture Graduate Research Assistantship, Ernest G. Welch School of Art and Design, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
2008
Doris Aikman Scholarship, The Buffalo Federation of Women’s Clubs, Buffalo, NY
Award for Excellence in Sculpture, Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY
PRESS/BIBLIOGRAPHY
2017
KoProjects: ProjectPlaform, March. Dublin, Ireland
https://www.koprojects.com/kellyobrien
Wisconsin Public Radio, Spectrum West, February 23. Eau Claire, WI
http://www.wpr.org/programs/spectrum-west-al-ross
University of Wisconsin-Stout News, A search for meaning: Critique process helps sculpture students see art in new ways, January 31. Menomonie, WI
2016
New American Paintings #125, Midwest Edition, Open Studio Press, Boston, MA
Floorr Magazine, Issue 3. Peckham, London
http://www.floorrmagazine.com/issue-3/kelly-obrien
Scandale Project
http://scandaleproject.com/portfolio/kelly-obrien/
Goode-Peoples, Rebekah. Review: Atlanta’s Push to Culture Kids, June 2. Atlanta, GA http://www.clatl.com/news/article/13087459/atlantas-push-to-culture-kids
2015
Gabler, Jay. ARTFORUM Critic’s Picks. New York, NY
http://artforum.com/picks/id=53252
MCAD MFA Mentor Highlight/Kelly O’Brien, August 27. Minneapolis, MN
http://www.mcad-mfa.com/mcad-mfa-mentor-highlight-kelly-obrien/
Paint Pulse Magazine, Issue 1. Boston, MA
White, Russ. Review: Donald Morgan: Black and Yellow/ Kelly O’Brien: Kulture High, June 5. Minneapolis, MN
http://www.mplsart.com/written/2015/06/donald-morgan-black-and-yellow-kelly-o-brien-kulture-high/
Froyd, Susan. Review: The 2015 Biennial’s Lauren Wright Chips Off National Trends With Icebreaker 6, January 8. Denver, CO
2013
International Painting Annual, Exhibition-in-Print, Volume 3. Manifest Creative Research Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
Geva, Kylie, March/Issue 08, ForgetGood Zine, March. https://issuu.com/forgetgood/docs/fg_march_2013
2012
Hammond, Courtney. Online Interview for Dashboard Co-Op. Atlanta, GA
Cullum, Jerry. Review: Material feats of Cha Jongrye, Kelly O’Brien challenge notions of sculpture. June 19. Atlanta, GA
2011
Hicks, Cinque. “Pre-Emergent.” Aqua Art Catalog. Miami, FL
2010
Bring It!, Gallery Catalog, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Fox, Cathy. Review: Last chance to see emerging artists Kelly O’Brien, Sam Parker and Nikki Starz at Kibbee Gallery.
November 19. Atlanta, GA
ARTSATL.COM
Cullum, Jerry. Review: Sculptures at Kibbee Gallery balance slapstick with malevolence. November 15. Atlanta, GA
BURNAWAY.ORG
COLLECTIONS
The Esther Allen Greer Museum, University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, OH
Soo Visual Arts Center, Minneapolis, MN
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2014- Current
Adjunct Professor, Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), Minneapolis, MN
MFA Graduate Critique Seminar
MFA Mentor
Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), Minneapolis, MN
2013- Current
Assistant Professor of Sculpture, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI
Contemporary Sculpture Practices I-III
Digital Sculpture Appropriation
Three-Dimensional Design
Two-Dimensional Design
Drawing I, Introduction to Observational Drawing
2013
Instructor/Visiting Artist-in-Residence, University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, OH
Survey of Western Art History (Renaissance-1950)
Three-Dimensional Design
Sculpture I-III, Beginning through Advanced Sculpture Majors
2012
Instructor of Record
Sculpture I, Introduction to Metal and Wood, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
2011
Instructor of Record
Three-Dimensional Design Foundations, Sculpture, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Teaching Assistant
Sculpture I, Introduction to Metal and Wood, Assistant to Ruth Stanford, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Private Figure Study Lessons, Realistic Modeling and Proportionally Accurate Human Rendering, Atlanta, GA
2010
Teaching Assistant
Sculpture I, Introduction to Metal and Wood, Assistant to Mike Wsol, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Sculpture I, Introduction to Metal and Wood, Assistant to Ruth Stanford, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
2009
Teaching Assistant
Sculpture I, Introduction to Metal and Wood, Assistant to Erin Cunningham, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
RELATED EXPERIENCE
2018 Thesis Exhibition Committee Member
Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), Minneapolis, MN
Outside Advisor for 2 MFA Painting Candidates
Paintings on loan (Juried)
Moxy Hotel, Minneapolis, MN
2017 Artist Lecture/ McKnight Discussion Series
With Claire Gilman, Senior Curator of The Drawing Center, New York, NY at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), Minneapolis, MN
Art Mob Studio Tour (Invitation from Diane Mullin, Senior Curator at the Weisman Art Museum)
Weisman Art Museum (WAM), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Personal Studio Tour and Artist Lecture for WAM Collectors Group (Art Mob)
Artist Lecture/ Visiting Guest Artist
Bacon Lecture Series/Annual Turkey Iron Pour, Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY
Paintings on loan (Juried)
Barnes & Thornburg Law Offices, Minneapolis, MN
Phoenix Condominiums, Minneapolis, MN
Thesis Exhibition Committee Member
Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), Minneapolis, MN
Outside Advisor for MFA Sculpture Candidate.
2016 Artist Lecture
Spatial Context sculpture course, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Paintings on loan (by invitation)
KNOCK Inc. Advertising Agency, Minneapolis, MN
Thesis Exhibition Committee Member
Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), Minneapolis, MN
Outside Advisor for MFA Sculpture and Painting Candidates
2015 Thesis Exhibition Committee Member
Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), Minneapolis, MN
Outside Advisor for MFA Illustration Candidate
2014 Artist Lecture/Guest Critic for MFA Seminar
Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), Minneapolis, MN
Artist Lecture
University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI
2013-Current
Curator, A Clean and Poorly Lighted Space
Student Exhibition Space, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI
2013-Current
Industrial Design Hiring Committee Member
Student Artist in Residence Committee Member (Chair)
Upper Level Studio Committee
Process Lab Assistant Hiring Committee Member
Foundry Remodel/Visioning Committee Member
Student Gallery Policies and Procedures Committee Member
Governance Committee Member/College Representative (Chair)
Curriculum Committee Member
Art Metals Hiring Committee Member
University Public Relations Committee Member
Furlong Gallery Committee Member
Faculty Advisor for Fine Arts Association
Sculpture Lab Budget, Safety Maintenance and Student Worker Supervisor
University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI
2013 Artist Lecture
University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, OH
Art Appreciation Workshops
University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, OH
Develop and conduct an instructional workshop for local K-12 art teachers as well as several visits to area schools promoting the arts.
2006 - 2011
Cast Iron Pour Crew Member/Cast Iron Polytechnic Performer
Sloss Furnace Biannual Cast Iron Conferences, Birmingham, AL
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
University of Georgia, Athens, GA
William Patterson University Pour, Wayne, NJ
Pirkkala Iron Pour and Sculpture Symposium, Pirkkala, Finland
Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY
Bronze/ Aluminum Casting
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY
2011 Public Relations
Edgewood Sculpture Forum, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
2009 Sculpture Symposium: Fire Sculpting Abroad, Sabile, Latvia
Assistant to Kenneth Payne, Several monumental sized fire sculptures
Intensive overseas workshop to build with traditional materials
Individual outdoor sculpture by artist now a permanent installation at park in Pedvale Open Air Museum, Latvia
2007 Sculpture Symposium, Summer Semester Abroad, Pirkkala, Finland
Assistant to Kenneth Payne, Large outdoor commissioned iron sculpture
Intensive program through Buffalo State College to cast iron and work with international artists
Inclusion of iron sculpture in exhibition in Pirkkala, Finland