SWEET SIXTEEN, 1974
60-ton cast concrete. The University of California, Fresno, CA
13’ 10” (h) x 16’ (w) x 23’ (l)
SCULPTURES
I began as a minimalist sculptor, but over time, I lost interest in staying within those boundaries. I wanted something more personal and challenging. Searching for a new direction led me to three
dimensional objects, opening the door for assemblage.
Objects, when combined in certain ways, can become a narrative. Repurposing found objects or using things I have made myself was the new direction I had been searching for.
I enjoy entertaining and engaging the viewer, so my sculptures often reflect that interest.
One category of my sculptures explores games and sports. They are part of almost every culture, and lend themselves to play, competition, and fun. Ball games, board games, card games, arcade games, video games, and mind games entertain almost everyone.
My games are a fictitious reality with no boundaries, no rules, no scoring system, no goals, and no predictable outcomes.
This idea eventually developed into
“The O’Halloran Intercontinental Export Gameworks Manufacturing Company,” the title of my first solo exhibition. I invented it as a fictional business to present my sculptures. The exhibition consisted of non-functional game sculptures and was held at a Hilton Hotel Convention Center. It was open to the public under the guise of a real company, and I never mentioned art.
Inside the “showroom” were my game sculptures and sales staff, all displaying the corporate logo. A local television reporter interviewed me, and again, no one mentioned art. I advertised and marketed the show and even produced promotional giveaways. The exhibition was a great success and encouraged me to explore viewer participation and engage viewers even further.
Symbolism and surrealism are also important to the stories I tell through my sculptures.
My symbolic sculptures often explore allegorical and mystical themes. I use symbolic motifs to suggest deeper meanings and juxtapose unexpected combinations of materials and objects. Examples include: “.357”, “The Empire”, “Lovebirds”, and “The Premonition”.
My surrealist sculptures emphasize irrational or strange combinations of materials and objects. Examples include: “Neon Dartboard”, “The Oracle”, “Crossfire / Trophy # 1”, and “The Announcer”.
I’m drawn to objects that generate feeling, thought, or action. Sometimes, the objects themselves determine the direction and outcome of a finished sculpture.
I can find an object, buy it, put it on a shelf, and live with it for many years. I know that someday, like a key in a lock, that object will open the door to a new piece.
Today, my narrative sculptures are still telling stories.
O’HALLORAN GAMES, 1974-2024
( YES, 50 YEARS TO COMPLETE ! )
34" (h) x 26" (w) x 6.75” (d), o.d.
PORTABLE HOP-SCOTCH (O'HALLORAN GAMES), 1973
17.5” (h) x 18.5” (w) x 9.5” (d), mixed media
NEON DART BOARD, 1976
72" (h) x 30" (w) x 6" (d), mixed media (case open) - SOLD
(Tap image for details)
MAN WITH BUTCHER KNIVES, 1977
85" (h) x 31" (w) x 3.5" (d), mixed media (wall piece)
Butcher Knives Base, 36" (h) x 18" (w) x 11" (d) - DESTROYED
(Tap image for details)
SCRIMMAGE (kinetic), 1978
7" (h) x 31" (w) x 12" (d), mixed media
(Tap image for details)
JACKASS
(with 12 toilet plungers), after "Pin The Tail On The Donkey", 1978
72" (h) x 60" (w) x 8" (d), mixed media - DESTROYED
AMERICAN FLYER, 1978
photomontage of Six Greyhound Buses, 320' long
West Side Drive, between Hubert St. and Beach St., elevated section (demolished)
(Statue of Liberty upper right background)
.357 (Russian Roulette), 1979
11” (h) x 16” (w) x 2” (d), mixed media
(Tap image for details)
4 MEN OILING EACH OTHER, 1981
22” (h) x 16” (w) x 2.5” (d), mixed media, frame by the artist - SOLD
(Tap image for details)
GENERAL DYNAMICS, 1980
21” (h) x 11” (w) x 8” (d), mixed media, frame by artist
MASS EVACUATION, 1980
60" (h) x 48" (w) x 18" (d), mixed media - DESTROYED
(Tap image for details)
THE EMPIRE, 1981
62" (h) x 23" (w) x 10" (d), mixed media
JOKER, 1978
46" (h) x 32" (w) x 6" (d), mixed media
(Tap image for details)
STAGE #1 (triptych), 1982
22" (h) x 21" (w) x 3" (d), mixed media
(Tap image for details)
STAGE #2 (triptych), 1982
21" (h) x 14" (w) x 4" (d), mixed media
(Tap image for details)
STAGE #3 (triptych), 1982
20" (h) x 15" (w) x 5" (d), mixed media
(Tap image for details)
EITHER YOU OR YOUR HEAD, MUST BE OFF, 1988
(Alice in Wonderland)
42” (h) x 37” (w), mixed media
SHOOTING GALLERY #1, 1983
25" (h) x 35" (w) x 3" (d), mixed media - SOLD
EVIL ? HOLY (Triptych - See, Speak, Hear), 1994
each pc. 40" (h) x 29" (w) x 9" (d), mixed media
RING IN THE NEW, 1993
(Liberty Bell shown in the frame)
(drum pedal), 19" (h) x 8" (w) x 16" (d), mixed media - SOLD
HIP-HOP SCOTCH, 1994
10'6" (h) x 45" (w) X 2.5" (d), mixed media
THE ORACLE, 2021
20” (h) x 11” (w) x 4.75” (d), mixed media
SHELTER / TROPHY #2, 2021
24” (h) x 9.5” (w) x 12” (d), mixed media
(Tap image for details)
BIRDHOUSE / TROPHY #4, 2021
21” (h) x 9” (w) x 12” (d), mixed media
CAMOUFLAGE / TROPHY #3, 2021
22” (h) x 12” (w) x 12” (d), mixed media
STILL LIFE WITH CALL BELL, 2022
9” (h) x 11” (w) x 11” (d), mixed media
CROSSFIRE / TROPHY #1 (view 1), 2022
15.75” (h) x 10” (diameter), mixed media
(Tap image for details)
THE ANNOUNCER, 2023
24" (h) x 16" (w) x 18" (d), mixed media
LOVE BIRDS, 2024
13" (h) x 19" (w) x 1.25" (d), mixed media
(No, the US map is correct)
MONEY, 2024-2025
19” 19" (h) x 15" (w) x 11" (d), mixed media / 22K gold film
Edition of 3
(Tap image for details and VIDEO)
PREMONITION, 2024
15" (h) x 11" (w) x 1.25" (d), o.d.
A.I. / ARTIFICIAL INSTINCT, 2024
12" (h) x 12" (w) x 1.25” (d), mixed media / 22K gold film
(Tap image for VIDEO)