Diving IN

RJD Gallery hosts an exhibition of past and present figurative paintings by Katie O'Hagan.

- ROCHELLE BELSITO

The figurative paintings of Katie O’Hagan explore the depths of human emotions. She is not afraid to touch on vulnerabilities and strengths, fears and adulations. The artwork is complex, yet relatable, which allows viewers to play an active role in the narrative by finding their own story within her on her imagery. December 3 through January 4, RJD Gallery in Bridgehampton, New York, will present the exhibition Katie O’Hagan: Unbreakable, highlighting some of her newest paintings alongside a few past compositions.

O’Hagan, who was born in Scotland and moved to the U.S. at age 21, often pulls ideas from her imagination, phobias and experiences. However, there isn’t a set intention when she paints. The ideas percolate in her head and evolve as she paints. “[My paintings] all usually end up having a narrative. It’s something that’s very organic. I don’t sit and think of the narrative and how to portray it,” she elaborates. “What happens more is an image will pop in my head. I’ll be zoning out and have a face in my mind, or I’ll be 4 miles into a run, and as my brain switches off, the space opens up for images to drift in. It really starts with an image and it’s just something that nags in my mind and one of them will catch and usually the narrative comes afterward.”