Sean O'Keeffe

 

Sean O’Keeffe is a multi-disciplinary artist who works across a range of media including video, painting and site-specific sculpture. 

His time based works reference both formal cinematic history as well as the history of time based moving images. The works may be single or multi- channel and often depict a scene or event from multiple views. His most recognised work explores real life moments or events that have been recorded through patient observation of people and events. This interest in “Le moment decisive” aligns him with the practices of early realist photography and employs practices that are common to the observational documentary style and Cinéma Vérité.

His works are concomitant with the act of constant self documentation and external surveillance. Sean’s works often present multiple perspectives of the same events occasionally even distorting a real moment so that it fits more with the subjective memory of the event as the artist has remembered it. Sean’s works have been featured as part of Electro fringe and The Blake Prize. His video work was recognised as a Highly Commended finalist in the Blake Prize in 2002 and was also acquired by The ACMI in 2004. He also produced a number of sculptural installations including the now iconic ‘Bench” which is still installed permanently in Broken Hill.

As a filmmaker Sean has worked extensively with young people teaching and producing a number of award winning films.