John O'Reilly: A Studio Odyssey

Lauded by The New York Times as “one of our greatest living artists of mysterious, erudite, and confounding photomontages,” John O’Reilly creates intricate assemblages that fuse together art history, literature, and autobiography. Nationally celebrated, O’Reilly is a Worcester-based artist whose composite artworks investigate eroticism and violence, often through the inclusion of self-portraiture.

This exhibition examines the close affinity O’Reilly has with the literary works of Jean Genet, Constantine Cavafy, and Henry James. The presentation is a visual journey through these identifications as they reflect time, freedom, and order. It also explores the way he uses art historical references to enhance the depth of his self-expression.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website