b-uncut

b-loud:Robert O'Brien – He Can't Speak Swedish

// December 22nd, 2009 // b-loud // b-uncut

Robert O’Brien is fresh from his exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery in London. The recent recipient of the third prize in the prestigious BP Portrait Award , he lives and works between London and Gothenberg. His art  has an emotional, expressive and often melancholic tendency. His inspiration comes from highly emotional subjects that he meets head on particularly in the relationship between artist and sitter. His work is done primarily in oils and watercolours. Luckily for us he took some time out to  answer the b-loud interview. As we can learn and see here he can’t speak Swedish but he communicates emotions and life experiences brilliantly just the same.

The b-you interview

b-uncut: What was your first artwork?

RO: A drawing of a face I did with my mum when I was about six. My mum divided a piece of paper in half, she drew one side of the face and I copied it on my side. I took it in to school and no body would believe I did it.

b-uncut: Describe the one you like the most-why?

RO: I don’t know it’s easier to say my favorite from another artist, Gerhard Richters, painting I.G. The three paintings of his ex-wife. I believe they could bring anyone to tears, they are beautiful.

b-uncut: Describe the one you hate the most-why?

RO: It’s in the bin, because I am so impatient.

b-uncut: What did it take to make it to where you are now?

RO: Not listening to people who put you down, and there’s a lot of them.

b-uncut: Who has helped you along the way?

RO: Family and friends.

b-uncut: What are your methods? Your inspirations?

RO: The psychology of myself and others.

b-uncut: If I ask you to describe your art, would it be redundant to describe yourself?

RO: Me and my art are like arch enemies, battling every day both wanting the same thing… power over the other one.

The b-quick interview

b-uncut: The swear word you like the most?

RO: O bugger!

b-uncut: The flaws a man/woman should have to seduce you?

RO: They should love cheeseburger and fries.

b-uncut: Your parents’ advice you shouldn’t have followed?

RO: No they have always have had good and loving advice.

b-uncut: The talent you wouldn’t want to have?

RO: I don’t want the talent of reading, writing, and spelling. I have very bad dyslexia and no talent for them. This has made me a very visual and creative person with an unguent able drive.

b-uncut: The person you’d like to be hated by?

RO: There might be one of two people that might feel that way already, I would not like anymore.

b-uncut: The question I should never ask you?

RO: How come you can’t speak Swedish yet?

The b-where interview

b-uncut: Where do you see yourself in…

5 seconds?

RO: This

5 minutes?

RO: Doing a spell check and then getting someone to look over it again for spelling and punctuation.

5 days?

RO: Back in good old London.

5 months?

RO: Looking forward to summer.

5 centuries?

RO: Art world domination.

The Shoulda Woulda Coulda Interview

b-uncut: Do we know you?

RO: No

b-uncut: Should we know you?

RO: Yes

b-uncut: Will we know you?

RO: Yes