Onwards: wood block prints and sculpture by Olivia O'Connor

Sculptor Olivia O'Connor likes to let the grain do talking in her wood sculptures and also in the wood block prints she creates. As she explains: 'My work is a reductive process, worked slowly by hand, with my sculptural forms or wood blocks for printing, I let the grain deep within the timber inform me of the direction I need to take with each piece. Once my work has emerged it speaks of my relationship to the land on which I live and inspires me to create.'

ONWARDS: An exhibition of prints and sculptures is now on display until April 10, 2023 at Marios Café, 303 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne.

Over the last decade Olivia’s practice has seen her broaden from an established traditional woodcarver and restoration expert to following a path of inspiration. Olivia is inspired by the landscape and animals that surround her, applying her traditional skill set towards non-traditional forms and patterns as she explores contemporary works through sculpture and print making.

Olivia O'Connor, ONWARDS, printed from a hand carved wood block onto 100% cotton archival French printing paper.

Olivia studied Furniture Design and Construction at RMIT, has a BA from NIDA in Prop Making and Scenic Art and is a Fellow of the International Specialised Skills Institute for woodcarving, painted timber restoration and guilding. In a previous life Olivia was a scenic artist and prop maker (War Horse Saddle Maker (London), Sydney Opera House, Opera Australia FOX Films). Recently, in addition to sculptural works. she has been exploring works on paper through woodblock carving and printing.

Ibis And The Sun, 260 x 170mm, blackwood, jelutong,gold leaf, plywood backing

ONWARDS: An exhibition of prints and sculptures is inspired by the flow of nature around us. 'Without consciously trying to find a subject matter for this body of work I found I was mesmerised by the calming effect of flowing water or the tide slipping in and out. So often I watched birds soar above the water, so effortless, in similar patterns as though they were swimming through the sky. I have tried to capture that sense of day dreaming, letting my thoughts fly away with the birds or worries wash away with the water.'

Learn more about Olivia O'Connor at oliviaoconnor.com.au