The Book

Jane O’Hara – State of the Union catalogs the artist’s State of the Union - Animals Across America exhibition, exploring our complex relationship with animals through narrative-driven paintings set across the U.S. Known for placing misplaced animals in dreamlike landscapes, O’Hara blends nostalgia, pop culture, and state iconography with surrealistic bubbles that expose animal rights violations.

This 114-page volume features 51 full-color reproductions, each accompanied by descriptive text. A preface by O’Hara, a foreword by poet Gretchen Primack, and an introduction by artist Yvette Mattern place the work in a broader art historical context. At the heart of the series is Nellie the cat, a recurring figure whose journey weaves humor with urgency, sparking reflection and action toward a more compassionate world.

" In this remarkable collection of work, Jane O'Hara captures our patriotic pride of our United States - and the transgressions we try to hide from view. Bubbles float through each picture postcard, wisps of awareness we'd like to brush aside. In her surreal portraits, O'Hara deftly balances glossy PR with grim reality. "

Allison Argo, Emmy Award- Winning Filmmaker, The Last Pig