Helen O’Connor - O’Connor_Helen_2_detail.JPG

Helen O’Connor - O’Connor_Helen_2_detail-2.JPG

Helen O’Connor - O’Connor_Helen_2_detail-3.JPG

Helen O’Connor
Pond Paper Fairy Costume

Media: Found pond algae paper, silicone, polymer clay, pins

Artist Statement:
This project started with a piece of found paper. Having in the past spent hours laboriously making paper from plants, I was excited by the concept of paper made completely in nature. This paper was found dried to a cement path surrounding a man made pond that had an overgrowth of algae floating in clumps on the surface. It peeled easily off the path in sculptural pieces that inspired the creation of this costume.

Biography

Helen O’Connor is a visual artist who makes handmade paper from oriental and local fibres to create works of art. Papermaking for O’Connor is a physical connection to the past and to the earth. Helen’s work is process informed and influenced by the natural surroundings of her home in the Yukon. She uses paper sculpturally to create assemblages, artist books and installation often incorporating elements of mixed media, film and dance.

O’Connor studied visual art at University of Victoria, University of Western Ontario and the Ontario College of Art. She has developed her art through creative residencies in Scotland, Ireland, Italy and at Canada’s Banff Centre. Her work is exhibited nationally and internationally. In 2016, Helen studied Japanese papermaking (Washi) in Japan. She uses this paper to create cyanotype prints and luminous sculptural works.