Sean Hopp's paintings depict a parallel world where distorted figures are engaged with a series of internal rituals and transformations. By suggesting both epiphany and breakdown, the images create a paradox as a space for the contemplation of modern isolation and neurosis. They can be seen as portraits of the psychic angels, demons, and ghosts of the 21st century.

Process

Starting with an ink and charcoal sketch, each canvas contains numerous layers of oil and glaze, and may take several weeks to a year to complete. Some pieces also include layers of acrylic or egg tempera, as well as additional ingredients like paper, glue, hair or cloth.

Most finished paintings have a collection of multiple working titles scrawled on the back. As layers are added and the piece evolves, the meaning shifts and a final title eventually suggests itself.

Exhibition History

Solo Exhibitions

University of Illinois at Chicago, Ward Gallery, Configuring the Demon, Chicago, April 2003
Northwestern University, Dittmar Gallery, Retraction Impulse, Evanston, November 2002
Dark Millennia Studios, Insubordination, Denver, July 2002
The Rubber Monkey, Burden of Illusions, Chicago, July 2001

Juried Exhibitions

New Arts Invitational Salon Exhibition of Small Works, Kutztown, PA. May 2004
Cork Street Gallery, Society for Art of Imagination 5th Annual Juried Exhibition, London, July 2003
New Arts Invitational Salon Exhibition. Kutztown, PA. May 2003

Group Exhibitions

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
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
David Leonardis Gallery, Chicago, July 2003
Monkey Business Gallery, Chicago, March 2003 photos
Zoo Studios, Chicago, December 2002
Stolizzo Gallery, Chicago, October 2001
Chicago Artists' Coalition, CAC Art Open, Chicago, October 2001
Excalibur, Aura - Dome Room, Chicago, August 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

Public Collections

Excalibur (Dome Room/Aura), Chicago: 10-piece series The Somnambulist Fixture, 2000
Elve's Palace, Madison: Snake Oil Séance series, 1996

Education

Kent State University: BA, Fine Art and Graphic Design, 1992
School of the Art Institute of Chicago: Post-grad work in Digital Media and Animation

Funding

George Sugarman Foundation Grant
Chicago City Grant

Memberships

The Chicago Artists’ Coalition
The Society for the Art of Imagination

Influences

Painters Albright, Bacon, Bellmer, Beksinski, Bosch, Blake, Carrington, Crumb, Bacon, Dalí, Delvaux, Dürer, Ernst, Fuchs, Freud, Giger, Gorey, Hausner, Helnwein, Magritte, Moebius, Nerdrum, Varo
Writers Ballard, Blake, Burroughs, Card, Carroll, Dick, Dunsany, Herbert, Lovecraft, Stephenson
Directors Cocteau, Cronenberg, , del Toro, Gilliam, Henson, Jodorowsky, Lucas, Lynch, Quay, Svankmejer

Contact

Contact Form or info[at]seanhopp.com or Facebook

Sales

Currently available original paintings on sale at Available Work.

Portraits, proposals, and other custom requests are always welcome.

Prints are available for all recent paintings as archival quality giclées.
Archival watercolor paper, rag paper or canvas options in the following sizes:
8"x10" print - $50 + shipping
16"x20" print - $100 + shipping
18"x24" print - $125 + shipping

Larger print estimates available by request.

Other Creative and Professional Work

Web design and management: hoppmedia.com
Music projects: mathbat.com