Openly gay artist William O’Brien lets his deconstructed and reconstructed works speak for themselves—and for him. Although his media messages do not shy away from controversy, O’Brien himself is pretty reticent. However, the Art Institute of Chicago grad agreed to talk with Windy City Times about his art (on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art until Oct. 30) and himself.
Windy City Times: How long does it take for you to produce a piece?
William O’Brien: [Most weeks] I make three to five drawings a day; I draw a lot—it’s where I start from.
WCT: How did you become interested in art?
WOB: I grew up in the country and I wasn’t really good at any one specific thing. I actually spent a lot of time in the woods and built things out there; I think that’s where my imagination came from. I had a lot of siblings so we had to come up with our own games.
I didn’t have a direct connection to art. Life, as cliched as it sounds, is very difficult. Art was very therapeutic; it was a way for me to stay alive. It helped me to accept all the things about myself. Meditation also helped me a lot; I felt like I needed to put my pain and anger somewhere. I [eventually] started using art as a tool to help people; it became a way of giving back to the community while helping myself.
WCT: I looked at your Web site [www.wobwobwob.com] and wanted to discuss a couple of your drawings. What about the one with humans with deer heads wearing swimsuits with the words ‘Finger fucked’ at the bottom?
WOB: That’s an older piece. I did it after a really bad break-up. I was searching the Internet—I’m fascinated by Google—and drew a connection to the narrative. It’s like [a page out of] my daily journal. With this piece, I was also experimenting with language. I’ve actually changed my point of view with derogatory terminology since making that one. It’s weird how certain words have something to them. I want to show everyone all of my sides—the good, the bad and the ugly.
WCT: What about the one that reads ‘I am not feeling very sexual these days’ that features two llamas with human heads?
WOB: I was also playing with words. People say these things and gay culture thrives on that. I was fascinated by the [prospect] of presenting that as legitimate. For me, it was about taking something from the Internet, putting my hand on it and putting it back into space.
WCT: You do something interesting with the crotches in your pieces.
WOB: God, I’ve never been interviewed like this! [Laughs] (Most people don’t research my stuff before they ask me about it.) Yes— I have hearts on them. I can say what it’s about, but it’s up [to the viewer]. Whatever I say my art is about doesn’t necessarily mean that’s what it’s about.
WCT: You also have done a piece regarding Paul Reubens (a.k.a. Pee Wee Herman).
WOB: Yes. I’m also fascinated by making homages to certain facets of pop culture. I wonder how these people would react if they saw these works.
WCT: What are your pieces like when you’re in love?
WOB: Actually, my work is not as sexual. I don’t know what that’s about. A lot of work [springs from] a sense of loss of desire. They also involve cliched ideas about romantic language that are reinforced by the media. Love is not about flowers and candles, as nice as they are to get.
WCT: What’s the most challenging aspect of being an artist?
WOB: Justifying doing it, probably. Making a piece without judgment is hard. It’s really easy to be negative, but to be positive and to continue making something despite the fact that it might conform… I think that’s why people stop making art: the fear of judgment. However, you never really have to show anything. You have to believe that it’s worthwhile.
WCT: What artists have influenced you?
WOB: Early on, I was influenced by a lot of abstract expressionists and the greats. Actually, I didn’t like Warhol when I grew up; now it’s strange that I have all of the pop culture references in my work. Now, I see him as a godfather of sorts and respect him as a leader.
I’m also influenced by movies and music. I’m also influenced by and inspired by absurdity. I also like things that have a beautiful appearance but don’t taste so great. The world tends to put a gloss on things. I like to look under the gloss. It’s also interesting that a lot of the artists that inspired me [turned out to be] gay, like Rothko…. The great thing about gay people is that we have this ability to [be chameleons] and we have this way of posturing. The only way I can describe it is ‘drag.’ Drag is a wonderful way of presenting temporary spaces of our identity, even if it’s just for five minutes. I love our ability to mutate and survive.
WCT: What is art to you?
WOB: I think it’s this. [O’Brien stretches out arms.] I think it’s everything. Art is how you brush your teeth, even; some people don’t get that. Some people in society channel the spirits better than others.
See www.wobwobwob.com.