Ann O'Connor

Please use the contact form at the bottom of the page to contact the gallery for prices of Ann's work.

Please note - 
Not all the artworks shown here are on site at the gallery at any given time. 
If you would like to view a particular artwork at the gallery please contact us first so we can ensure that it is at the gallery.
07-5429 6404
or
admin@artoncairncross.com.au
Many Thanks, Jane and Tony

White clay, Porcelain, Jewellery

Born: Brisbane, Queensland.
Resides: Mt. Glorious, Queensland.
Ann O'Connor was born in Brisbane in 1943. Marrying from school, family life occupied her time until 1968 when she commenced private art classes. In 1971 Ann began a course of external study with the Australian Flying Arts School and by 1975 was working with painter Gil Jamieson (on experiments with etching), when he was artist in residence at the Capricornia Institute of Advanced Education in Rockhampton. From this Ann entered full-time study and graduated in 1978 with a Diploma of Teaching, majoring in art (etching).The CIAE bought 3 of her etchings for their collection.

In 1979 she won an award for the highest academic achievement in her diploma and started working in Primary Schools. During this time she researched and published a developmental art programme for primary schools which became adopted by many Central Queensland schools. Still seeking art education, Ann completed a 3 year part-time certificate course in Studio ceramics at Rockhampton TAFE College, graduating in 1989 with a Meritorious Achievement Award. In 1993 along with her husband, Gerry, she set up a studio outside Brisbane where they both became full-time artists; Ann also training in silver smithing and jewellery making at Goldsmith's School, Brisbane.

Ann's obvious verve for art has led her to 2 main areas of work in porcelain sculptures and jewellery and sometimes combining the two. Her art is ever-evolving drawing from natural inspirations, literature and often her own sense of joy. Her jewellery manages to be modern and eye-catching, yet still classical which carries through into her sculptural works which have a preciousness frequently enhanced by the subtle use of gold lustres.

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Spanish Odyssey - White Clay, Glazes, Lustre - 49x14x36cm + 42x14x33cm

And When the Pie was Opened - White Clay, Slips, Glazes & Gold Lustre - 17x13x13cm

Vietnam Market Boat - White Clay, Glazes - 45x24x13cm

Cupola Journey - White Clay, Glazes, Gold & Brass - 28x16x12cm

La Vie en Rose - White Clay, Coloured Slip, Underglazes, Clear Glaze, Gold Lustre - 33x15x12cm

Cabaret, My Friend - White Clay, Coloured Slip, Underglazes, Clear Glaze, Gold Lustre - 31x18x18cm

Chanteuse - White Clay, Coloured Slip, Underglazes, Clear Glaze, Gold Lustre - 31x16x11cm

Mysteries of China - White Clay, Glazes, Gold Lustre - 45x12x17cm

Follies Girl - White Clay, Coloured Slip, Clear Glaze, Gold Lustre - 27x18x10cm

Jill in a Box - White Clay, Coloured Slip, Underglazes, Clear Glaze, Gold Lustre, Brass - 43x15x15cm

And the Band Played On - White Clay, Coloured Slip, Underglazes, Clear Glaze, Gold Lustre - 31x19x14cm

Highland Fling - White Clay, Underglazes, Clear Glaze, Brass - 21x9x5cm

The Magician's Audition - White Clay, Coloured Slip, Underglazes, Clear Glaze, Gold Lustre, Brass - 21x16x8cm

Portmanteau Excursions - White Clay, Underglazes, Gold - 17x18x10cm

Cabaret on Tour - White Clay, Coloured Slip, Underglazes, Clear Glaze, Gold Lustre - 23x28x10cm

Saucy Ports - White Clay, Underglazes, Gold - 11x24x9cm

Flying Around - White Clay, Glazes - 9x12cm

Balancing Act - White Clay, Clear Glaze, Gold Lustre - 13x12cm

Balancing Act - Detail

Lady of Genoa - White Clay, Underglaze, Glazes, Gold Lustre, Brass - 34x15x25cm

Knight of Bayeux - White Clay, Underglaze, Glazes, Gold Lustre, Brass - 34x15x22cm

Heron by the Wetland - Hand Carved and Polished White Clay - 33x31x10cm

"I see boats as a metaphor for migration. This idea was inspired by my grandparents, from both sides of my family, who migrated from the UK last century. As a child I loved playing with the trunks and suitcases they travelled with and would imagine travelling across the sea in a ship. I thought it was a very romantic notion. Now I am an adult I realise how brave they were to leave all their family and their culture behind to contribute to the melting pot of Australia. This bravery is shown by all the peoples from the Aborigines onwards who have come to Australia to make it their home. Their many cultures make our nation what it is today."

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS:

1974  - Australian Flying Arts School travelling exhibition (painting)
1978  - Central Queensland University Student exhibition (etching)
1989  - Gallery 5, Rockhampton
1990 - Gallery 5, Rockhampton
1991 - Gallery 5, Rockhampton
            Red Hill Gallery, Brisbane (with National Ceramics Conference)
1992 - Arts in the Park, Rockhampton
1993  - Centre Gallery, Mackay
             Queensland Crafts Council Gallery, Brisbane
1994  - Struggletown Gallery, NSW
             Mura Clay Gallery, Sydney
             Vision Arts Gallery, Milton, Brisbane
1995 - Queensland College of the Arts, Brisbane
            Goldsmith's School Jewellery Exhibition, Brisbane
            Queensland Potters Association, Fusions Gallery, Brisbane
            Hang-Ups Gallery, Brisbane
            Contemporary Art and Design Gallery, Brisbane
1996 - Arte Pordenone Art Expo, Italy
1997  - Tony Gill Galleries, Montville
              HangUps Gallery, Brisbane
2001  - Redcliffe City Council "15 Artists" (invited artist)
2002  - Noosa Regional Gallery  - "Works of Imagination"
2006 - National Ceramics Conference Brisbane  - "Verge"
2008 - Pine Rivers travelling exhibition, "Beyond Diamonds" Pine Rivers Art Awards
            Moreton Bay Regional Council - Invitational Talent Pool Exhibition
            Sunshine Coast - "Ignition Awards of Excellence"
2009 - Moreton Bay Regional Art Awards
            Moreton Bay Regional Art Collection - "I Know what I Like" exhibition
            Pine Rivers Gallery - "Time to Shine" exhibition
            Marks & Gardner gallery
            "Ceramics 2009"
2010 - Moreton Bay Art Awards
2011 - Moreton Bay Art Awards
2012 - Redcliffe City Gallery - "Across the Threshold" exhibition
            Pine Rivers Gallery - "Beyond Diamonds" exhibition
            Fusions Gallery - "New Directions" members exhibition
            Art on Cairncross, Maleny - "Vessels of Change" exhibition
2013 - Art on Cairncross, Maleny - "Odysseys" exhibition
2015 - Art on Cairncross, Maleny - "Clay Paradoxes" with Gerry O'Connor
2017-  Art on Cairncross, Maleny - "Showtime" with Gerry O'Connor

RECENT ART AWARDS:
2005 - Pine Rivers Art Awards - Grand Prize & 1st Prize ceramics
2008 - Pine Rivers Art Awards - 1st Prize 3D
2010 - Moreton Bay Region Art Awards - 1st Prize 3D
2013 - Sunshine Coast Art Prize - Finalist 3D

PUBLIC COLLECTIONS:
Toowoomba Regional Council
Moreton Bay Regional Council
Gold Coast City Art Gallery
Central Qld. University
John Paul College

Since 1979 Ann has won many awards for her art, predominantly with her ceramic works. She has been published in many articles including 2 issues of 'Pottery in Australia', several issues of 'The Brisbane News' and in 'Craftlink'. Ann has works in several public collections including Central Queensland University Collection and the John Paul College Collection in Brisbane and in private collections across Australia, New Zealand, England, France, Japan, Norway and the United States. 

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