Michael James O’Brien

Lavinia Co-op, NYC. Girlfriend Series. Black and White Portrait Photograph

1992

“Holly came from Miami, F-L-A, Hitchhiked her way across the USA. Plucked her eyebrows on the way; shaved her legs and then he was a she. She said, ‘Hey, Babe, take a walk on the wil...

Men, Women, and Drag, draws inspiration from his diverse roles as a photographer, poet, and activist. His work often intersects with themes of identity, social justice, and cultural commentary. O’Brien's photographss highlig his ability to capture the human experience with depth and nuance. His involvement in activism, particularly with HIV/AIDS awareness and support, further informs his artistic perspective, making his work both impactful and deeply personal. Michael James O’Brien draws inspiration from his diverse roles as a photographer, poet, and activist. His work often intersects with themes of identity, social justice, and cultural commentary. O'Brien produced a diverse body of photographic work, from still lifes and portraits to art documentation. He still uses film and works in medium and large formats. His themes are not classical, the artist prefers to portray extraordiary beuty, transgender people and still lifes. The artist's images have a sense of discovery and loss; absence and presence. From the Series Girlfriend Printed on Hahnemuhle fine art photo rag paper Dimension for each print is 22 in. H x 17 in. W (The overall size composition of the entire portfolio is: 66 in. H x 51 in. W) Limited Edition of 10 + 2AP All these portraits were made on tri-x BW film with a Pentax 6 x 7 photographed in Natural Light. 1. Lavinia (Girlfriend), NYC, 1992 “I came to Manhattan with just a handbag” - Lavinia Co-op 2. Ebony Jet (Girlfriend), NYC, 1992 “We’re all born naked, everything else is drag” - RuPaul Charles 3. Miss Guy (Girlfriend), NYC, 1992 “You’ve got your mother in a whirl; she’s not sure if you’re a boy or a girl.” - David Bowie, Rebel, Rebel 4. Ming Vauze (Benjamin Liu) NYC, 1992 “Impersonation is the supreme act of creation.” - Yukio Mishima...

The subject, a nude, is shot from the female gaze. As a woman artist Roberta Fineberg enjoys working with life models for both her art and photography. The title of the photograph, Triggered, references both the cable release used to release the shutter of the camera to make the image and the volatility of human moods and emotions. Triggered, 1994 by Roberta Fineberg is 14" x 11" a gelatin silver print in an edition of 5 with 2 artist's proofs. Signed, dated, titled by the artist. Available: Ed 3/5 Provenance: RF Studio *** Artist's Bio: As a visual artist, Roberta Fineberg (RF) focuses on the themes of serendipity, inventiveness, the development of ideas and color fields for her mixed media works. Drawn to experimentation, she explores diverse mediums and concepts such as the ephemeral (Butterfly Series), stolen moments (documentary), play, timelessness, the enduring, and the significance of matter. RF’s selected exhibitions: Women of Spirit Zurcher Gallery New York (2025); Sojourner Gallery New York (2022); Phyllis Harriman Gallery New York studio shows (2020, 2022); CADAF online art fair (2020); Gallery122 New York pop-up group...

We are excited to announce the grand opening of “Indian Summer” at La Plage in Sag Harbor. This exhibition will include Fine Art + Photography from the Robin Rice Gallery including R...