Conor O'Connell

Ómra, 2024

Oil on copper panel (adhered to a wooden board) 

"This is a painting of my friend Georgia Smith, also an artist, wearing a set of Bronze Age amber beads. These are fascinating artefacts - they wouldn’t appear out of place in modern fashion and generally look as pristine as when they were deposited in the ground. I enjoy the idea of contrasting ancient objects in contemporary settings, pointing to the enduring relevance of many aspects of the ancient past today. This was also an experiment in painting on copper- a material that itself had immense importance in prehistory." - Conor O'Connell

Conor O’Connell, who lives in Ballaghaderreen,  Co. Roscommon, recently graduated from the National College of Art and Design, Dublin, where he studied Fine Art Painting and Education. His painting practice currently focuses on the significance of objects and artefacts and the often-obsolete processes involved in their creation, with a particular emphasis on the material culture of prehistoric Ireland. His work is often introspective, informed by his surroundings, interests and experiences. Themes in his work include ancient history, nature, rural life and psychology.

Go back to the shortlisted works