Andrew O’Brien is an artist and educator from southern Maryland, now based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. O’Brien’s photographic and installation-based practice draws from lived experience to examine the organization and perception of physical space — especially as it relates to landscape and the built environment. His work is informed by the history and symbolic potential of materials, as well as the shifting incarnations of the photographic image. He has exhibited widely, including at the Houston Center for Photography, Seed Space in Nashville, Tennessee, The Center for Fine Art Photography in Fort Collins, Colorado, the West Gallery at California State University Northridge, and the Art Museum of Northern Illinois University, among others. In 2009 O’Brien received his MFA from the University of Oregon, and since 2014 he has served as Assistant Professor of Art at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
EDUCATION
2009
Master of Fine Arts, Photography Concentration, Suma Cum Laude
University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon
2003
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Photography, Suma Cum Laude
Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Georgia
EXHIBITIONS & CURATORIAL RESEARCH PRACTICE (* indicates solo or two-person exhibition)
2023
*Drift Alignment/Down Pressed Sunshine, two-person exhibition with Patrick DeGuira, Zeitgeist Gallery, Nashville, TN
2022
Art of the South 2022, juror: Katie Delmez, Senior Curator at the Frist Art Museum, Zeitgeist Gallery, Nashville, TN
Approximate Press, collaborative artist book press with Matt Greenwell; designed and published artist books with Benjy Russell, I reached for your hand and we swam through stars, and Stephanie Loggans, Stephanie Loggans
2021
Locus, two-person exhibition with Ivan Fortushniak, Birke Art Gallery, Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia, curated by Jamie Platt
Home/, Institute of Contemporary Art at UTC, curated by Rachel Reese, Chattanooga, TN
2020
Overwhelming (Im)Possibilities, West Loop Gallery, Houston, Texas, Juried by Haley Berkman Karren
2019
Contemporary Landscape, Czong Institute for Contemporary Art (CICA), Gimpo-si, South Korea (11/19)
Social Justice in the Mis-Information Age, Juror: Susan Crile, Albright College, Reading, PA
27th Emerald Coast National Juried Fine Arts Exhibition, Juror: Katie Pfohl, Curator NOMA, Mattie Kelly Arts Center Galleries at Northwest Florida State College, Niceville, FL
Art of the South 2019, Juror: Bethany Springer, Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN
*Drift Alignment, West Gallery, California State University, Northridge, CA
DATA: BIG, -driven, Visualized, Juror: Richard Siegesmund, Northern Illinois Univ. Art Museum, Dekalb, IL
*Drift Alignment, White Box Gallery, California State University, Bakersfield, CA
Fluctuating Meridians, Stoveworks Gallery, Chattanooga, TN
2018
TN Contemporary, Atlanta Contemporary, Atlanta, Georgia. Collaborative curatorial project with Phillip Lewis and Daniel Fuller, featuring work by regional artists Eric Cagley, Patrick DeGuira and Natalie Petrovsky
2017
*Curtain Wall, Workspace Gallery, Lincoln, Nebraska
*Curtain Wall, Kresge Library and Gallery, Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Mellow Mountain Coalition and Michael Robinson, Terminal Station, Chattanooga. Co-curated installation of Memphis-based collaborative and LA video artist in a caboose and train car
Don’t Worry, You’ll Get There, 401 MLK, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Co-curated site-specific video installation in former fast food restaurant featuring work by Nevada-based artist, Peter Whittenberger
iSurrender, 540 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Co-curated site-specific video projection of work by UK artist, Samantha Harvey, on the former State Office Building in downtown Chattanooga
SPE South Central Regional Conference Juried Exhibition, Juror: Deborah Lillie, Waco, Texas
New England Art Book Fair, Presented in Conjunction with Grammar Center Press, Portland, Maine
5th Annual Juried Exhibition, Ground Floor Gallery, Nashville, TN, Curated by Austin Thomas
Contemporary South 2017, Visual Art Exchange, Raleigh, NC, Curated by Sheetal Prajatapati
2016
Photographs About Nothing, Atlanta Photography Group, Curated by Beth Lilly
Faux, Center for Fine Art Photography, Boulder, Colorado, Juried by Louise Clements
Edgehill Muses, Curb Center for Art and Enterprise, Vanderbilt University, Curated by Rachel Bubis
Still Life, Don't Take Pictures (online exhibition), Juried by Kat Kiernan
2015
33rd Annual Member Exhibition, Houston Center for Photography, Juried by Russell Lord (NOMA)
*Talking Talking House, Seed Space, Nashville, Tennessee
2014
Group Show, Shane Darwent Art and Framing, Chattanooga, Tennessee
2011
Range, Archer Gallery, Clark College, Vancouver, Washington
2010
*Fickett, Apothecary Projects, Chattanooga, Tennessee
SQFT, Blackfish Contemporary Art, Portland, Oregon
SQFT, Egyptian Theater, Boise, Idaho
2009
Recent Grads, Blackfish Contemporary Art, Portland Oregon
MFA 2009, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Eugene, Oregon
NWx4: New Northwest Photography, Quality Pictures Contemporary Art, Portland, Oregon
2008
*Threshold, Eric Washburn Gallery, Eugene, Oregon Lightfoot, Ditch Projects, Springfield, Oregon
The Space Between, Laverne Krauss Gallery, Eugene, Oregon
Sundown, 18k Gold Tone Gallery, Portland, Oregon
2008 Juried Exhibition, NewSpace Center for Photography, Portland, Oregon
Terra Infirma, Laverne Krause Gallery, Eugene, Oregon
2007
Habitat, Laverne Krause Gallery, Eugene, Oregon
Our Terrain, Greenleaf Gallery, Whittier, California
*Middle Ground, Shane House Gallery, Tucson, Arizona
2006
H2O, Dinnerware Contemporary Arts, Tucson, Arizona
*Dis/Appearance Project, Site Specific Billboard Installation, Tucson, Arizona
ARTIST RESIDENCIES
2022
Appalachian Forest Stewardship Residency (ASFR), jurors: Lexie Stoia and Leticia Wiggins, Hillsboro, OH
2018
Lowe House Project Artist Residency for Drift Alignment Research and Artwork Production, Tubac, Arizona
2017
Lowe House Project Artist Residency for Drift Alignment Research and Artwork Production, Tubac, Arizona
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
2023
Photography and 21st Century Migration, Art History Association International Conference, London, UK. Panel chaired by Sarah Bassnett and Blessy Augustine.
2022
Boundaries and Borders, 3rd International Conference of photographies journal, San Antonio, Texas. Conference review committee: Liz Wells, David Bate, Erina Duganne
2019
Drift Alignment, SECAC National Conference session, Chattanooga, Tennessee (10/19)
2018
Landscape in Pieces, session chair, SECAC National Conference, Birmingham, Alabama
Drift Alignment, Society for Photographic Education South Central Conference, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Drift Alignment, Society for Photographic Education South East Conference, Penland School of Crafts, Penland, North Carolina
2009
Field Office, Society for Photographic Education National Conference, Dallas, Texas
ARTIST LECTURES
2019
Fluctuating Meridians Panel Discussion, Stoveworks Gallery, Chattanooga, Tennessee
2018
Visiting Artist, University of Central Florida, School of Visual Art and Design, Orlando, Florida
Drift Alignment, College of Arts and Sciences Convocation, University of Tennessee Chattanooga
Drift Alignment, Lowe House Project, Tubac, Arizona
2017
Artist Talk for Curtain Wall Solo Exhibition, Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, Georgia
2010
Visiting Artist, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota
2009
MFA Lecture Series, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Eugene, Oregon
2008
Middle Ground, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon
2005
Western Photographic Historical Society, Tucson, Arizona
GRANTS & AWARDS
2023
Wheeler Odor Research Grant, University of Tennesee at Chattanooga
2022
Faculty Development Grant, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Exceeds Expectations Rating for Annual EDO Performance Review
2021
Current Art Fund Grant (in collaboration with Matt Greenwell), Tri Star Arts, Juried by Derek Fordjour, Alexis Johnson, and Marin Sullivan
Fall Faculty Research Grant, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Individual Artist Fellowship, Tennessee Arts Commission
2020
Exceeds Expectations Rating for Annual EDO Performance Review
Summer Faculty Research Grant, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
2019
Summer Faculty Research Grant, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Pitch Competition: Drift Alignment Book Proposal, Arts and Humanities Category Winner
2018
Faculty Achievement Grant, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Fall Faculty Research Grant, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Summer Faculty Research Grant, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
2017
CAS Research and Creative Activity Grant, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Faculty Research Grant, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
High Impact Practices Grant, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
2016
UTC Engaged Grant, TN Contemporary, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
CAS Supplemental Travel Grant, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
2015
Faculty Research Grant, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Ruth S. Holmberg Grant for Faculty Excellence, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
2014
Think Achieve Grant, Lead Author, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
UNFoundation of Chattanooga, NeighborFloat, Lead Author, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Library Enhancement Grant, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
2008-2009
Graduate Teaching Fellowship, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon
2007
Architecture and Allied Arts Travel Research Grant, University of Oregon, Eugene Oregon
Graduate Teaching Fellowship, University of Oregon, Eugene Oregon
Segal Americorps Education Award, Americorps, Washington, D.C./ Tucson, Arizona
2006
Individual Artist Grant, Tucson Pima Arts Council, Tucson, Arizona
PUBLICATIONS
2024
Drift Alignment: Astronomy, Celestial Navigation, and the US-Mexico Border, article in photographies journal special issue: “Boundaries and Borders.” DOI 10.1080/17540763.2023.2269393
2023
A Portfolio from Drift Alignment, in Photography and Culture special issue: “Photography and 21st Century Migration.” DOI 10.1080/17514517.2023.2256171
2022
Drift Alignment, published by SKYLARK Editions, Chicago Illinois, 68 pages with gatefolds, 4-color offset printing, commissioned essay by Katie Flynn
2019
Curtain Wall, published in collaboration with Grammar Center Press, Orlando, Florida, 62 pages with gatefolds, digital offset printing
BIBLIOGRAPHY
2019
Richard Siegesmund and Jo Anne Burke, Data: Big/-driven/Visualized. Exhibition catalogue. Published by the Northern Illinois University Art Musuem. May 2019.
Brooks Dierdorff and Andrew O’Brien, “Interview: Andrew O’Brien & Brooks Dierdorff,” No. 97: Relics, Spring 2019
2017
Ann Marie Deer Owens, “Community Viewed as Microcosm for Nashville” Vanderbilt News online, January 5th, 2017
2015
Adrienne Outlaw, “Talking Talking House,” Seedspace Lab, February, 2015
2010
Laurel Ptak, “Andrew O’Brien,” www.iheartphotograph.com, 27 December, 2010
2007
Irene Messina, “Paradoxical Landscapes,” Tucson Weekly, 4 January, 200
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
2018 - Present
Member, SECAC (formerly Southeast Conference of Art Colleges)
2007 - Present
Member, Society for Photographic Education
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
2019
National Conference Portfolio Reviewer, Society for Photographic Education, Cleveland, OH
2018
National Conference Portfolio Reviewer, Society for Photographic Education, Philadelphia, PA
2016
National Conference Portfolio Reviewer, Society for Photographic Education, Orlando, FLA
2015
National Conference Portfolio Reviewer, Society for Photographic Education, New Orleans
2011
National Conference Portfolio Reviewer, Society for Photographic Education, Atlanta
ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS
2020 - 2021
Interim Head, Department of Art, Universsity of Tennessee at Chattanooga
• Full oversight of departmental academic programs
• Departmental budget planning and oversight
• Faculty and staff hiring, reappointment, and promotion recommendations
• Strategic initiatives driven by department- and college-level goals
• NASAD reaccreditation planning
2018-20, 21-22
Associate Head, Department of Art, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
• Manage department’s schedule of classes & course overrides
• Recruitment and retention
• Strategic planning
• Internship coordinator
• Scholarship coordinator
• Transfer and new student advising
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
2020 - Present
Associate Professor of Art (tenured July 2020), University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
• Studio instruction in analog and digital photographic practices, video, web design, and bookmaking
• Lecture instruction in photographic theory and the history of time-based art
• Advising and mentorship for B.F.A Photography and Media Art students
• Curriculum development and revision to reflect contemporary photo-media practice
2014-2020
Assistant Professor of Photography and Media Art, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
•Studio instruction in analog and digital photographic practices, web design and book making
•Lecture instruction in photographic theory and the history of time-based art
•Advising and mentorship for B.F.A Photography and Media Art students
2010-11
Lecturer, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, Tennessee
•Art 2810 Photography I, Art 2820 Photography II
•Art 2800 Survey of Time Based Art
•Art 4815 Web & Book for Artists
•Art 2600 Visual Literacy for Graphic Design
•Art 2710 Typography I
2009
Instructor of Record, ArtO 251 Black and White Photography, University of Oregon
•Traditional darkroom printing instruction using fiber based paper
•Basic use of 35mm film cameras and principles of photographic seeing
2008
Instructor of Record, ArtO 354 Digital Photography, University of Oregon
•Designed and implemented all course materials with co-instructor
•Use of camera RAW, color management, digital concepts and history
Graduate Teaching Assistant, The Artist Experience, University of Oregon
•Set up visiting faculty lectures and graded student writing assignments
Graduate Teaching Assistant, ArtO 251 Black and White Photography, University of Oregon
•Provided general assistance and in-class printing and mounting demonstrations