Denis O'Connor (born 1947 in Auckland) is a New Zealand-based ceramicist, sculptor, and writer who has exhibited both in New Zealand and internationally.
Education
O'Connor studied at the Wellington Polytechnic School of Design and the University of Otago.
Career
O'Connor's early work was made using white porcelain and the iron-rich clay which he found near his studio on Waiheke Island. In 1985 he was awarded the Frances Hodgkins Fellowship at Otago University, and during his tenure he switched to using limestone. More recently he has incorporated found objects and has started to use black slate, which has introduced a more minimalist aesthetic.
Residencies
He has held international residencies including:
Frances Hodgkins Fellowship, Otago University (1985) Moet and Chandon Fellowship, Champagne, France (1996) Rathcoola Fellowship, Cork, Ireland (2005) Blumhardt Foundation Residency in Gulgong, New South Wales, Australia (2016), (2017–18)
Public commissions and collections
O'Connor has had many prestigious commissions, and his works are held in a large number of public collections including:
Aotea Centre, Auckland
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
Auckland Museum Te Papa Whakahiku
Auckland Regional Authority
Australia Council for the Arts, Sydney
City Gallery, Wellington
Connells Bay Sculpture Park
Dowse Art Museum, Lower Hutt
Dunedin Public Art Gallery
Frances Hodgkins Fellowship Collection, University of Otago, Dunedin
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth
Hocken Library, University of Otago, Dunedin
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Wellington
Ministry of Justice, High Court, Auckland
Ministry of Justice, High Court, Wellington
Moët et Chandon, Épernay, France
Montana Wines Ltd, New Zealand
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
National Bank, Auckland
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
National Maritime Museum, Auckland
North Harbour Chapel, Albany, Auckland
Rijksmuseum Kroller-Muller, Netherlands
Robert McDougall Art Gallery, Christchurch
Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh
Sky City Casino, Auckland
University of Auckland
Viaduct Basin, Auckland
Waikato Museum of Art and History, Hamilton
Wairarapa Arts Foundation, Masterton
Wellington City Council
Wellington Sculpture Trust, Wellington Botanic Garden
Publications
O'Connor has produced several written works to accompany his major exhibitions: