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Helen O’Connor
Pebbles by the Sea

Media: Ceramic covers, cotton and ivy handmade paper, cotton twine, lichen, leaves, berries

Artist Statement:
This tiny ceramic covered accordion artist book is meant to be filled with collected bits from nature when opened for display. The found bits can be removed and changed for storage and accordingly to trigger the memory of places where bits have been collected.

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.