Olivia O’Connor

Carving

Olivia O'Connor, woodcarver and artist with sculpture art

THIS IS MY STORY

About

I specialise in handmade rocking horses and rocking horse restoration, I am living and working in South Gippsland, Victoria.

I grew up on a farm on Australia’s Mornington Peninsula. It was the perfect environment to develop a love for natural materials, such as wood and leather, and to appreciate the beauty of the countryside.

A love of working with timber led me to I study Furniture Design and Construction at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, for one year before being accepted into the competitive Prop Making course at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney. During this three-year specialised degree, I worked with wood, leather, foam-sculpting, model- and mould-making and puppet making.

WHAT I DO

My Work

Wood Carving

Sculpture

Prints / Engravings

Rocking Horses

KEEPING UP WITH O’CONNOR

News

I’ll be at the Heide Makers Market the 2nd Saturday of the month September – December!

www.heidemarket.com
I have a new series of reduction woodblock prints that are inspired by vintage travel posters, Japanese woodblocks and of course my love of big skies and birds (especially all the ibis I’ve been seeing lately!). They are currently on exhibition at Studio 11 (205 William St, Melbourne) and at @meeniyanartgallery L to R: Mountains of Colour - Yellow Sky, Swallow Fly - Morning Flight - Flying Home. Each print measures 38 x 60cm (paper size 48 x 76, frame is A1 size). Oil based inks on French archival quality paper. Super limited editions of just 2 or 3 per print! Available framed or unframed. Please contact me or the gallery with any enquiries. I do hope you like them ❤️✨😊 #print #woodblock #cranfieldinks #ibis #birdart #meeniyan #melbourne #printmaking#printmaker #art #exhibition #exhibition2024 ... See MoreSee Less
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‘The Morning Call of Black and Gold’Three hand carved cockatoos, gently flying across the sky (*wall!) at Studio 11, 205 William St, Melbourne. @lucymceachernsculpture @carolrocheartist and I would love to see you there for the opening of Land and Sky tomorrow (Thursday 17th)! #art #exhibition #opening #sculpture #melbourne #woodcarver #woodcarving ... See MoreSee Less
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You’re invited to the opening of Land and Sky!A beautiful group show with @lucymceachernsculpture @carolrocheartist and me!I do hope you can join us! All details are in the picture ✨ or message me with any questions ☀️ ... See MoreSee Less
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3 months ago

Olivia O'Connor Carving
Giddy up! To celebrate @latroberegionalgallery Horse Girl Energy exhibition I will be running an horse themed woodblock carving and printing class at the gallery on Saturday 7th September. There’s a link in the comments with more information…Hi Ho Silver Away!!🐎🎠🏇🐴❤️latroberegionalgallery.com/masterclass-woodblock-printing-2/#lrg #woodblock #print #gippsland #horsegirlenergy #horsegirl ... See MoreSee Less
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Things don’t always fall this nicely into place (particularly when it comes to art prizes 😅) but I am thrilled to currently be a finalist in 3 different prizes! A few years ago I definitely didn’t think I would be in this position, I have worked hard to make work that I connect with and I am so thrilled that people appreciate it (much more than when I was making what I thought people would like!) 🥰 Little Frog. Big Climb for Toorak Sculpture Prize. 1st September - 13th October.Woodcarving, Huon Pine. @toorakvillage The Joy and Sheer Terror of Swooping Season for Yering Station Sculpture Prize. 27th October - 8th December3 x flying magpies, woodcarving and paint, varnishWarm Ocean for East Gippsland Art Gallery, Michael Beazer Works on Paper Prize. 13th September - 19th OctoberReduction woodblock print. @eastgippslandartgallery #toorak #yering #eastgippsland #art #artprizes #feelinglucky #woodcarving #woodblockprinting #sculpture #print ... See MoreSee Less
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LEARN THE CRAFT

Workshops

From 1 day classes where you’ll dip your toe into the world of woodcarving, through to 5 day workshops, making something decorative or learning technical skills. Join me in a workshop, let the creativity flow and the fun begin!