About Felicity O’Connor
“Landscape is the beginning point of inspiration for me but back in the studio, the work quickly moves on from being representational, to a process of ‘borrowing’ ideas, marks and relationships from that place. I believe that my work should convey how I’ve experienced both the landscape and the making of the work. Painting for me isn’t about carefully arranging and planning something that is appealing or representational, but more about exposing my true involvement with making that painting and creating something new in that moment”.
Felicity O’Connor
Felicity O’Connor is a represented artist with the Walcha Art Gallery in New South Wales. After completing her year 12 art, she studied life drawing for three years and from here it was the stylistic qualities of abstract art that continually spoke to her spirit.
Like many of the abstract expressionist painters of the mid-21st century, Felicity generally uses acrylic or oils to make a painting that can show the moment of genuine involvement with creating that work. It is not possible to think about this moment, it can only be felt, followed and allowed.
Felicity has had numerous exhibitions over 25 years as a professional artist, including an award history being a finalist in the Muswellbrook Art Prize, the Blacktown Art Prize, the Korea-Australia Arts Foundation, the Hunters Hill Art Prize, the Kings School Art Prize, and the John Viller’s Outback Art Prize. She has also been an eight times finalist in the Gosford Art Prize as well as many other recent awards and accolades.
One of her greatest achievements was to be awarded a commission of 75 works for the Sir Norman Foster Building, ‘Lumiere’, Regents Place, Sydney in 2006.
At times, working with her canvas or paper on the floor allows Felicity to gain a certain freedom and spontaneity with the paint and mark making. This is important to the visual rhythm in the work and moves intentionally away from the traditional western perspective of a horizon line and closer to the Australian indigenous perspective which she finds more direct and energetic. She paints with an urgency and intensity, often using music in the studio to uplift her.
Felicity has had numerous exhibitions over 25 years as a professional artist, including an award history being a finalist in the Muswellbrook Art Prize, the Blacktown Art Prize, the Korea-Australia Arts Foundation, the Hunters Hill Art Prize, the Kings School Art Prize, and the John Viller’s Outback Art Prize. She has also been an eight times finalist in the Gosford Art Prize as well as many other recent awards and accolades.
One of her greatest achievements was to be awarded a commission of 75 works for the Sir Norman Foster Building, ‘Lumiere’, Regents Place, Sydney in 2006.