John O’Connor’s Autumn in the Basement Gallery

Autumn 2010

John O’Connor

“Ummeryroe”

September 3rd. – October 1st

My work is rooted in the town land of Ummeryroe-my Mothers birthplace in co. Sligo
I spent many summers there in childhood. I have revisited the place in recent years and made paintings and drawings.
Farm impliments, sickles, pitch forks, boglands, fields, my grandmother’s knitting, white enamel buckets have inspired my painting in the studio.
To go forward, I am looking back.
I found this piece by Michael McLaverty.written in 1952

“Be artists of the normal, it is the normal that survives, and it comes from exploring the resources of your own people and environment –no matter how small the latter is, if it is deeply pondered the resultant work will overleap its boundaries.”

John o’ Connor will speak about his work in the Basement Gallery on Thursday 9th. September at 1.10. pm