Photograph Ros Kavanagh © 2018
Coming from a background in theatre design, my work revolves around an interest in imaginary spaces and is inspired by the land and seascapes that surround me…
Photograph Geoff Greenham © 2019
With a foundation in painting: LSAD 1991-94, Johanna Connor’s work developed through her studies at the renowned Motley Theatre Design Course, London, 1996-97. After which she worked successfully as a set and costume designer, designing over 20 productions between 1997-2000 for theatre, dance, opera and film. Amongst these were At-Swim-2-Birds - The Abbey, 1998, Fragile - Dublin Fringe Festival, 1999 and Coriolanus - Project @ the Mint 1998, some of which were nominated for awards of distinction.
At-Swim-2-Birds @ the Abbey 1998
Nearly There
Returning to West Cork in 2000 her creative path significantly altered. There she began to produce 3D work and exhibit paintings.
In 2006, the West Cork Arts Centre presented Nearly There - A work in Progress, an exhibition of the creation of Nearly There a children’s book which she and Gabrielle Byrne co-illustrated & co-wrote from 2002-04 and which she subsequently published & launched in 2012 as an iPad App and a Book with CD.
Untitled 2, Untitled 1 , Untitled 3
Photograph Ros Kavanagh © 2018
In 2018 she received a master’s degree in: Art & Process, @ CIT Crawford College of Art & Design, Cork and her work from the MAAP exhibition was longlisted for the RDS Visual Arts Award, 2019.
Following on from the masters, she did part time lecturing in UCC Drama dept. and co-facilitated a series of drama/visual art community workshops @ the Nano Nagle Centre for the Lantern Project Community.
Absense 4
In 2019, Johanna, was offered the opportunity to take part in Alternative Views, a small group exhibition curated by Ana Ospina for the Blue House Gallery. For this, Absence 1 - 10 , a series of drawings on paper using acrylic spray evolved as she further developed the methods she had begun to explore while on the MA.
She then applied the same techniques to create a series of drawings, for Into the Woods, the WCC annual exhibition.
During 2020/21 under the constraints of lockdown she continued to develop her work and take part in numerous group shows at the BHG, WCAC and WCC annual exhibitions. It is during this time that we can see evidence of pencil and paint brush creeping back into her work.
Grp3 Img10: Roses - 509 - Tulips - Brooklyn
Grp4 Img2: Manhattan Bridge - Moulin Rouge - hole - birds - pink - arch
Originally Indelible was to be the fruits of time spent on the residency in New York. This was the Spring of 2020. A Global Pandemic declared on the 12th March; international air travel halted and borders closed across the globe. Indelible was postponed and the residency cancelled.
And so, to open in September 2021 Indelible would need to find an alternative becoming…
…using an amalgam of coordinates, imagery and objects , I sought to hint at a tone that expresses a common ubiquity within.
You’ve got a friend in me
Currently concentrating on her pencil drawings, Johanna is working towards two joint exhibitions, the first of which will take place this Summer: Paper - Pencil - Chisel - Stone ; A joint exhibition with Michael Quane RHA and will open @ BlueHouseGallery, Schull August 2nd and run until August 21st., the second is planned for the Lavit Gallery, Cork, May/June 2025.
Her work can be seen:
Seasons Opening Exhibition @ BHG March 29th - April 17th
Hermione, Alexandra College Dublin
Summer Group Exhibition @ BHG June 21st - July 10th
RHA 194th Annual exhibition, running until Aug 4th
Uillinn WCAC Annual Members and Friends Exhibition, running until July 21st
Paper - Pencil - Chisel - Stone @ BHG, Schull August 2nd - 21st
Making Connections: WCC Annual Exhibition 2024, @ Cnoc Buí, Unionhall, August 3rd - 22nd
An Open Occassion 3 @ 2 STUDIOS : ONE GALLERY Opening Culture Night, September 22nd
Along with their independent art practices, Johanna and her husband Michael continue to develop 2 STUDIOS : ONE GALLERY.
A work in progress, these two working studios and exhibition space open their doors to the public annually as part of Culture Night. Visits can also be arranged for groups and/or private individuals, simply get in touch.