Muse 2.0 at the Nan Miller Gallery

Rochester has several local artists who have fame beyond our city – Wendell Castle, Albert Paley, and Len Urso come to mind immediately. And the prices of their works reflect their renown. Luckily, there are other equally talented local artists who aren't yet widely “discovered,” and whose work is still relatively affordable. For now. Brian O'Neill, whose show Muse 2.0 just opened at the Nan Miller Gallery, is one of those. The show highlights his talents as both an abstract and a hyperrealist artist. Most of his works are one or the other, but occasionally he blends both, seamlessly (as in the painting in the photograph, below, between Nan Miller and Brian). In his address to the audience, Brian's answer to the unasked question of how he works in both styles is that he “decided not to limit his creative joy.” Lucky for us!

Nan Miller and Brian O'Neill

Charlie and I have gotten to know Brian since the first, and wildly successful, Muse exhibit at the Arts & Cultural Council gallery, and have visited his studio in the Hungerford Building. This second exhibit is even more stunning (not just because it's in a more welcoming space). He has again used the ballerinas of the Rochester City Ballet as his muses, and his models were in attendance at the opening, offering to pose with their likenesses for any purchasers. He asked one of them to expand on his working with them to develop a “character” for each piece. The dancer represented in the kimono paintings said that it was similar to having choreography set on her – she had to envision the gardens, settle into the weight of the garment, and tailor her movements to it and her surroundings. The dancers enjoyed the artistic freedom Brian allowed them, as he gave them ideas, but set them free to explore character and movement on their own. 

"Taken By The Wind"

My favorite painting was a comparatively small, realistic one: “Taken By The Wind.” The featured ballerina explained how she had wrapped herself in the red chiffon, and then waved it in the breeze as she walked through the field. I felt, looking at it, as if I were following her into the woods.

Paley's "Symbion" and Brian's
"The Weight of Beauty"

One of the most striking paintings is “The Weight of Beauty,” but not in and of itself (although it is beautiful in its detail). It was displayed directly above an Albert Paley sculpture, and the juxtaposition was striking. Brian swore that he hadn't seen the sculpture before he created the painting, and the similarity of composition and color palette is remarkable. Except for the price on the Paley, you'd be tempted to buy both!

The exhibit runs through May 16.