About Me.

Hollie O’Brien is a figurative painter based in Hampshire, UK and is currently a Graduate in Residence at Chapel Arts. Having achieved a first-class honours degree from Arts University Bournemouth, Hollie’s work aims to explore the realm of contemporary nude representations of the female form, entwining threads of art history with personal narrative.

O’Brien challenges conventional boundaries of the nude and welcomes a more ambiguous representation of femininity through the medium of painting. Advocating for a more inclusive and nuanced portrayal of the female form, O’Brien aims to emphasize the agency and individuality of women as creators and subjects alike.

Working from historical images, O’Brien creates an introspective environment for both her subjects and the consumer. Through her use of paint and colour, historical images are reanimated in a vibrant and abstract approach which allows for these traditional images of the female nude to be re-imagined for the viewer.
Her evocative imagery provides a platform for diverse voices to be heard and celebrated. O’Brien’s art contributes to a more equitable and open artistic dialogue, where the stories of every individual, regardless of gender, are given the space to be seen, heard, and valued.