THEMES

My work uses the detached logic of dreams to analyze human neurosis and existential anxiety. Each piece is a vignette examining one or more characters engaged in a power struggle or inner psychic task, and may represent a scene from a larger series.

The images make reference to classical painting traditions, incorporating themes of horror, science fiction, and fantasy—the stepchildren of the ancient myths still lurking in the bowels of the information age.

I combine these intertwined populist genres with other philosophical and psychological influences to examine the internal effects of a paranoid culture that squanders its resources on systems of control, fear, and manipulation.

PROCESS

I primarily work with oils thinned with glazing medium and linseed oil, but I also use a combination acrylic, egg tempera, charcoal, and ink. Each piece is an experiment with modifications to traditional glazing techniques applied to panels and canvases. I frequently paint with my fingers, use both hands, and incorporate additional textural ingredients such as paper, glue, hair, cloth, and dirt.

Most finished pieces have a long list of multiple working titles scrawled on them in various locations. As much as I try to adhere to the original concept or sketch, as layers are added and colors change, the meaning shifts subtly and a new title suggests itself. Eventually I feel compelled to pick one in order to consider the piece complete.

INFLUENCES

I have been primarily infected by the dreams/nightmares of:
Bosch, Blake, Ernst, Bacon, Fuchs, Dalí, Dürer, van Eyck, DaVinci, Giger, Varo, Bellmer, Albright, Moebius, Crumb, Gorey, Nerdrum, Helnwein, Magritte, Beksinski...
Carroll, Poe, Wilde, Dunsany, Lovecraft, Asimov, Ballard, Stephenson, Herbert, Card, Dick, Burroughs...
Lynch, Kubrick, Cocteau, Gilliam, Svankmejer, Lucas, Henson, Jodorowsky, Quay, del Toro, Cronenberg...

EXHIBITION HISTORY

• World Art Expo 2009, Brea/Los Angeles. June 2009
• Peter Jones Gallery , The Grand Goodbye. Chicago. June 2009
• Chicago Artists' Coalition, CAC Art Open. Chicago. October 2008
• The Nineteen Hundred and One Gallery. Blasphemous Beltane. Chicago. May 2008
• Aesthetic Eye Gallery. Isolation. Chicago. April 2006
• Aesthetic Eye Gallery. Chicago. October 2005
• L2kontemporary. Inside Out. Los Angeles. July 2005
• Peter Jones Gallery. Strange and Bizarre Art Show. Chicago. July 2005
• Aesthetic Eye Gallery. Chicago. October 2004
• Perihelion Arts. Phoenix. September 2004
• Around the Coyote. Fall Arts Festival. Chicago. September 2004
• High Risk Gallery. Chicago. July 2004
• New Arts Invitational Salon Exhibition of Small Works. Kutztown, PA. May 2004
• High Risk Gallery. Chicago. February 2004
• Limner Gallery. New York. December 2003
• Diego Victorio Gallery. Miami, Florida. November 2003 photos
• Limner Gallery. New York. October 2003
• Chicago Artists' Coalition, CAC Art Open. Chicago. October 2003
• Williamsburg Art & Historical Center, Brave Destiny. New York. September 2003
• Society for Art of Imagination 5th Annual Juried Exhibition. New York. September 2003
• Morgan Park Academy. Visiting Artist Exhbition. Chicago. September 2003
• Monkey Business Gallery. Chicago. September 2003
• Around the Coyote. Fall Arts Festival. Chicago. September 2003
• High Risk Gallery. Chicago. August 2003
• Galleri Art. Kirkcudbright, Scotland. August 2003
• Cork Street Gallery. London. July 2003
• David Leonardis Gallery. Chicago. July 2003
• New Arts Invitational Salon Exhibition. Kutztown, PA. May 2003
• University of Illinois at Chicago, Ward Gallery. Chicago. April 2003 *
• Monkey Business Gallery. Chicago. March 2003 photos
• Zoo Studios. Chicago. December 2002 *
• Northwestern University, Dittmar Gallery. Chicago. November 2002 *
• Dark Millennia Studios. Denver. July 2002 *
• Stolizzo Gallery. Chicago. October 2001
• Chicago Artists' Coalition, CAC Art Open. Chicago. October 2001
• Excalibur, Aura - Dome Room. Chicago. August 2001
• Rubber Monkey Puppet Company Gallery. Chicago. July 2001 *
• Columbia College, Glass Curtain Gallery. Chicago. November 2000
• Peter Jones Gallery. Adam and Eve Show. Chicago. July 2000
• Dupreau (Lucky Horse) Gallery. Chicago. March 2000
• 2828 Gallery. Chicago. November 1999
• CBGB Gallery 313. New York. June 1999
• Izzo's Artery. Chicago. February 1998
• Guilty & Innocent. Chicago. January 1998 *
• Poop Studios. Chicago. September 1997
• Altered Image Gallery. Cleveland, Ohio. August 1997
• Studio Danzalla. Kent, Ohio. March 1993
• Kent State University. Kent, Ohio. December 1992

* solo exhibition

PUBLIC COLLECTIONS

Excalibur (Dome Room/Aura), Chicago
Elve's Palace, Madison

FUNDING

2004 George Sugarman Foundation Grant

CONTACT

info@seanhopp.com or Contact Form

PRINTS

Certain original paintings are available for sale on the Available Work page.
Otherwise, most of my recent work is now available in "Giclée" prints,
printed on archival watercolor paper, rag paper, or canvas in the following sizes:

8"x10" print - $50 + shipping
16"x20" print - $100 + shipping
18"x24" print - $125 + shipping
larger size estimates available by request

Contact me for print requests and size estimates

OTHER WORK

I also work in the fields of web, video, and other interactive media
in various amateur and professional capacities.
hoppmedia.com

I also manage and contribute to a small digital record label.
mathbat.com