Norman O’Flynn [1971 -] | Cape Town, South Africa
Norman O’Flynn’s Time Keeper series (2016, 2017) incorporates his trademark use of pop iconography, superheroes, explosions, religious symbols and graffiti-esque mantras tattooed across the bodies of imposing masked figures, exalted by backgrounds of buzzing colour and motif: a visual candy reverse-painted onto plexiglass for a slick finish.
O’Flynn uses a vocabulary of globally recognisable imagery. He draws inspiration from daily encounters with people and media – whatever moves or troubles him, he reflects on universal, contemporary themes: the noise of the world, the explosion of knowledge (but not necessarily meaning), the viral spread of imagery and ideas, the culture of celebrity and self-idolatory, the speed of change, the uncertain threat of violence – normalised and made palatable, fed ever faster via digital newsfeed straight to household screens and buzzing pockets that keep us both connected and disengaged.
Norman O’Flynn (b. 1971) is a prolific painter, sculptor and self-styled constructor. He has a BA in Fine Art from the University of Cape Town, has held 10 solo shows and participated in numerous group exhibitions, residencies and workshops.
