On the wings of eagles: another award for Olivia O'Connor

Above: Olivia O'Connor, Eagle Hill. Photo by the artist

‘Local, storm felled blackwood’ floating above an oak base has flown South Gippsland based artist Olivia O’Connor to equal first place Small Sculpture Award in the 2024 Neerim Bower Sculpture Award for her hand carved sculpture of birds on high.

‘This is particularly exciting for me as a woodworker to exhibit and win against many other from of traditional and modern sculptures and mediums!’, commented Olivia.

The works were judged by David Ashley Kerr, Senior Curator at the Latrobe Regional Gallery and Laurie Collins, Curator of Red Tree Gallery. The judges commented that ‘Eagle Hill’ presents us with a striking composition of both grace and simplicity, evoking the wedge-tailed eagles that can be seen flying high together in pairs in the Gippsland skies. With delicate and quality carving, careful choice of materials and contrasting forms, this piece is truly masterful.’

Olivia O'Connor carving a rocking horse leg. Photo: Linda Nathan

Olivia grew up on a farm on Australia’s Mornington Peninsula and went on to study furniture design and construction at RMIT before undertaking a three year degree specialising in prop making at NIDA in Sydney. She subsequently worked as a prop maker and scenic artist for a variety of shows and films in Sydney and London where she continued to develop her making and painting skills. From her currrent studio in South Gippsland, Victoria she specialises in sculptural carvings and restoring rocking horses.

Learn more about Olivia O’Connor via www.oliviaoconnor.com.au