Jane O'Hara State of the Union A Jane O'Hara Projects Publication (Hard Cover)

This book is published for Jane O’Hara’s largest exhibition.

Jane O’Hara - State of the Union catalogs the inaugural 2023 exhibition of O’Hara’s paintings in the State of the Union series. The artist is best known for creating narratives questioning our complex relations with non-human animals, and this striking new work does this by taking us across the United States.  With a preface by the artist, the Jane O’Hara Projects publication includes a foreword by poet Gretchen Primack, and an introduction situating O’Hara’s paintings within an art historical context by artist Yvette Mattern. The 114 page book is richly illustrated with 51 full-color paintings and includes descriptive text of each image. 

O’Hara’s paintings are often inhabited by misplaced animals in dreamlike landscapes. In this work the artist has gathered inspiration from disparate sources; from nostalgic postcard iconography, state animals, landscapes and figures, to pop reference. Adding humor and sentimentality, Nellie the cat represents the companion animal as she embarks on her own adventure through each painting. Surrealistic bubbles play a central role in each piece, holding images that depict animal right violations. This juxtaposition of humor and seriousness creates a thought-provoking narrative. Nellie's journey aims to raise awareness, spark conversations, and inspire action towards a more compassionate and sustainable coexistence with the animal kingdom.

" In this remarkable collection of work, Jane O'Hara captures our patriotic pride of our United States - and the transgressions we try to hide from view. Bubbles float through each picture postcard, wisps of awareness we'd like to brush aside. In her surreal portraits, O'Hara deftly balances glossy PR with grim reality. "

Allison Argo, Emmy Award- Winning Filmmaker, The Last Pig