The Doorway Gallery is delighted to host an exhibition by Tony O’Connor titled ‘The Equus Connection’ on Thursday, April 7th between 6-7.30pm on 24 South Frederick Street. The exhibition will be officially opened by broadcaster, Tracy Piggott, best known for her work commentating on horse racing on Irish state broadcaster RTÉ.
No other animal is connected with our language more than the horse. Whether you’re looking at a gift horse, a dark horse, a dead horse, from your high horse, from a one horse town, holding your horses or being dragged by wild horses or have the kind of horse that can be led to water but won’t drink it. This new exhibition of work by Tony O Connor is a Horse of a Different Colour.
In his new works, the horses appear luminous & lucid in a contraposition to the sombre & sunless background. The contrast of the vivid and warm tones coalesce in a harmonic symmetry in the murky shadows. There is a soulfulness and quiet strength in these works, where again, the eye of the horse is the window to its soul.
“A large and liquid eye… the swirl of dust around pounding hooves… these, then, are the images that move us”
In his “Storm” series, Tony looks for the connection between the horse and nature. Gone is dark background and quiet strength, here we see the powerful, wild horse in all his full glory. Connections with the base elements, Earth, wind, fire and water run through these pieces. Looser, more expressionistic brushstrokes stoke the embers for a new style of work. Raw energy and dynamism are characterized in these works.
The title image “Unconditional” is perhaps the most “outside” piece of the show, as it physically represents the connection between horse and human.
It was inspired by the following quote:
“Horses carry the wisdom of healing in their hearts and offer it to any humans who possess the humility to listen”`
The Artist
Born in Kerry in 1977, Tony O’Connor studied Fine Art at Crawford College of Art & Design where he also gained his Higher Diploma in Art Education. Presently, Tony can be found working at his Cork-based studio, creating ever-evolving pieces of equine art.
Tony has a disciplined approach in his study of horse anatomy, and puts a great emphasis on technical execution. As with much of his work, the void of background and simplicity of the pieces serve to highlight the natural physical perfection of these animals. Anyone who appreciates classic elegance cannot but be drawn in.
Reception Details:
Date : April 7th
Time: 6 – 7.30 pm
Special Guest : Tracy Piggott,
