Recent W&L Grad Exhibits Prints in Wilson Hall's Lykes Atrium
Washington and Lee University’s Art Department will present an exhibition of prints by recent graduate Michael O’Brien which will be on view from Sept. 6 – Oct. 6 in Wilson Hall’s Lykes Atrium. O’Brien will give a brown bag lunch artist’s talk on Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 12:30 p.m. in Wilson Hall, room 2017.
O’Brien focused on photography for his studio art major but also studied printmaking and drawing. He will exhibit woodcut prints, etchings and photographic prints made from graffiti found on desks, tables, doors and other public areas around campus. In his artist statement he said, “I view the graffiti like a message board one might find on the Internet…anyone can write anything and with complete anonymity.”
During his time at W&L, O’Brien won the Sally Mann Prize for Photography (2009) and the Studio Art Award (2010). He was also awarded an independent research grant by the university and was a founding member of the Student Arts League. O’Brien, who was a double major in both studio art and English, graduated in 2010.
Since receiving his degree, he has continued his artwork while serving as the photography lab tech in the Art Department and maintaining a full-time administrative position at Stuart Hall in Staunton.
Lykes Atrium is located on the second floor of Wilson Hall, in Washington and Lee University’s Lenfest Center for the Arts. The Atrium is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, please call 540-458-8861.
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