This exhibition explores representational art that has been reshaped and “disrupted”—including by abstraction, web-based imagery, and socio-political concerns—in response to contemporary life and its challenges.

Faced with an overflow of images, today’s artists are challenged to find the combination of subjects and individual hybrid styles that best express what it feels to be alive now. Responding to life’s disruptions engages their artistic imagination and the resulting works energize the flux of contemporary representational art. 

This exhibition is inspired by John Seed’s book of the same name as well as his earlier book Disrupted Realism: Paintings for a Distracted World. It also celebrates OMA’s mission to share the art and stories of Southern California artists. Artists and jurors Aleah Chapin and Timothy Robert Smith, who are among the 43 artists featured in the book More Disruption: Representational Art, will be featured.

This exhibition is made possible with support from the Negri Foundation and Lisa Bebi of the Artist Mentor Project.

PRIZE ANNOUNCED: Congratulations to Rupinder Kaloti, Director’s Choice Solo Exhibition Prize Winner. Stay tuned for Rupinder's exhibition in 2026!

Artwork pictured: Rupinder Kaloti, Fire Raiser, 2023. Oils on panel, 96" x 96".