The work: Jacob O’Shannassy, Brady’s Revealing Itself But It’s Only a Reflection, 2023. Oil on marine ply, 140.6 x 102cm. Courtesy: the artist.
Jacob O’Shannassy’s painting is full of storytelling and possibilities; feelings of the unknown and imaginary; reminiscent of Where The Wild Things Are or Could Be. Is it an actual location or somwhere within your night-time imagination? The clever use of minimal colours that the artist has chosen are dark and dense, with moonlit-like contrast in the upper half of the work denoting a dark land underneath. Layers of oil thinly applied create mystery, an unknown unhindered wilderness. Friend or foe? Real or imagined? It lends itself to letting the viewer’s imagination run wild, much like the land it depicts.
Anna Curnuck, Gallery Director, SIBU Gallery, Sydney
Brady’s Revealing Itself But It’s Only a Reflection immediately had me intrigued. Looking at this work makes me feel as though I am in a dream: swimming in a deep, dark chasm, although the dark feels quite safe. Having read about O’Shannassy’s practice, I can relate to the imaginary hibernation of mixed-up memories from childhood exploration.
Libby Knott, Senior Manager Partner and Clients, Art Money AU/NZ