james o'donnell art & teaching: info

My artwork deals with memory and mortality.
It explores love and loss.

I’m inspired by connections.
Family and relationships.
History and mythology.
How do we connect with each other?
How do I connect with myself?
How do we create meaning?
Or decide what is meaningful?
What do we remember and what do we forget?
What is temporary and what is transcendent?
How does the past affect the present?
How can we affect the past from the present?

My childhood was troubled.
Art provides healing and understanding.
I think beauty comes from tragedy.
My art is intimate.
Sometimes it’s confessional.
I like to share.

I’m a multidisciplinary artist.
I like the term visual poet.
My art includes performances, installations, videos, drawings, and writings.
I survive.
I create my own reality.
I tell my story, so that someone else will tell their own.


My artwork deals with memory and mortality. It explores love and loss. I’m inspired by connections. Family and relationships. History and mythology. How do we connect with each other? How do I connect with myself? How do we create meaning? Or decide what is meaningful? What do we remember and what do we forget? What is temporary and what is transcendent? How does the past affect the present? How can we affect the past from the present? My childhood was troubled. Art provides healing and understanding. I think beauty comes from tragedy. My art is intimate. Sometimes it’s confessional. I like to share. I’m a multidisciplinary artist. I like the term visual poet. My art includes performances, installations, videos, drawings, and writings. I survive. I create my own reality. I tell my story, so that someone else will tell their own.		Bio I've lived and worked in Atlanta for several years and it is starting to feel like home. I was born in Philadelphia but grew up in Florida, not far enough south to be in South Florida, but not north enough to be Southern. I also spent a couple of years in New York. I received a BA in art education from the University of Florida in 2004 and went on to teach art in public schools for several years in Florida and Georgia. Currently, I'm pursuing an MFA from Georgia State University, where I continue to teach undergrads. I also give presentations regularly at state and national conventions on teaching. I live with my cat, Baba, who is a good listener.















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Artist Statement