Jo O'Connor

Jo O'Connor was born in Johannesburg and now lives and works in Cape Town, South Africa.

Formally, elements of randomness and repetition have featured significantly in her work. This reflects both nature and industry and illustrates the uncertainty as well as the routine of life.

O'Connor’s artworks over the last two decades have found expression in various media: from drawing, sculpting, video, installation, and performative work with a return in the last several years to painting.

Her work has explored an interest in ‘urban camouflage’ and consequently pattern. The urban environment has been utilised as a palette for colours, patterns, and shapes, but in the studio, the 'real' world recedes, and the endless possibilities of these formal elements present a look inward. Compositions oftentimes start with a considered shape and evolve intuitively, so that variable elements come together to form an equilibrium: the sum of the parts equals the whole. Her process of painting is one of discovery as if he were to build and solve a puzzle at the same time. At times the correlation of repetition and 'considered randomness' bring to her mind the abstract aspect of rhythm, composition, and pattern. Other times the composition will move elsewhere - choices in the work arise from the work itself and O'Connor strives to be attuned and responsive to them.

Education

1990 – 1994

BA Honours Fine Art (Cum laude)

University of Natal

1997 - 1998

Postgraduate Diploma of Museum Management

University of Cape Town

Exhibitions

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2022      

Sanctuary, Barnard Gallery, Cape Town

An Urban Chronicle, 131A Gallery, Cape Town

2018        

An Interlude, Circa / Everard Read Gallery, Cape Town

​2013         

Visage, Association of Visual Arts (AVA), Cape Town 

​2004       

There, Galerie Expo 3036, Berlin

​2002        

Thread, Prince Albert Gallery, Prince Albert, Great Karoo

Muscle, Mark Coetzee Fine Art Cabinet, Cape Town

1998        

Before Swallowing, Mark Coetzee Fine Art Cabinet, Cape Town

1996         

Neuroglia, Rembrandt Van Rijn Gallery, Market Theatre, Johannesburg

Group

2022       

Painter Painter, Barnard Gallery, Cape Town

Abstract_ed, Barnard Gallery, Cape Town

Barnard Gallery Booth at Investec Cape Town Art Fair, Cape Town 

Winter 2022|23, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa 

2021          

Elixir, 131A Gallery, Cape Town

2020         

Assimilate, 131A Gallery, Cape Town

IMAGO, Everard Read Gallery, Franschoek

On Being, Everard Read Gallery, Franschoek

Untitled, 131 A Gallery, Cape Town

Still, Everard Read Gallery, Cape Town

Summer, Everard Read Gallery, Cape Town

2019         

Nano 3.1, Barnard Gallery, Cape Town

Winter, Everard Read Gallery, Cape Town

2018          

Summer, Everard Read Gallery, Cape Town

Summer Exhibition III, Everard Read, London, UK 

2017          

Winter Collection, Everard Read Gallery, Cape Town

Spectrum, Circa / Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg

Hardline, Circa / Everard Read Gallery, Cape Town

2016         

Summer in the City, Everard Read Gallery, Cape Town

Winter Collection, Everard Read Gallery, Cape Town

Homage, Everard Read Gallery, Cape Town

2015        

Winter Collection, Everard Read Gallery, Cape Town

Empire, Everard Read Gallery, Cape Town

2009       

Own Goal, AVA, Cape Town 

2007         

Stilte, Klein Karoo Kunsfees, Oudshoorn

Home/Room 516, Spier Hotel, Stellenbosch 

2006        

Out of Context, Erdmann Contemporary, Cape Town

Home/Room 516, Spier Hotel, Stellenbosch

2005       

Routes Around the World Portfolio, curated by Harm Lux, Wirth & Hauser, Switzerland

​Pulse, Videoart Centre Tokyo, Tokyo 

2004        

Somerfest, Karl Hofer Gesellschaft, Berlin

Very Real Time, curated by Gregg Smith, Cape Town

​2003        

Spare Change, Bell-Roberts Gallery, Karoo Nasionale Kunsfees, Oudshoor 

2002        

Gardenism, Spier Outdoor Sculpture Bienniel, Spier Hotel, Stellenbosch

Filling, YDETAG, South African National Gallery, Cape Town

2001         

Fridge Project, One City Many Culture Festival, Cape Town

2000       

Johannesburg as at March 2000, Urban Futures, Rembrandt van Rijn Gallery, JHB

Fridge Project, Cape Town Art Night, Cape Town

Fridge Project, SOFTSERVE, South African National Gallery, Cape Town

1999        

Like it (But Can't Afford it), collaboration with James Webb, Cape Town Art Night

1998        

Snack Corridor, Shopping Trolley Project, River Club, Cape Town

1997        

Expecting, The District Six Sculpture Festival, Cape Town