Johanna Connor - 1972:
Visual Artist: Drawing, Theatre Design, Fine Art Painting & Illustration
COLLECTIONS
2025 OPW
Cork County Council
The Glucksman Art Library programme
COMMISSIONS
2025 Domain of the Dinosaurs. Exhibition & Art Library Programme. The Glucksman, UCC
XHIBITIONS - SINCE 2018
2026
AR26
BHG Landscape
SOLOMON FINE ART Spring Group Exhibition
BHG Spring Group Exhibition
2025
SOLOMON FINE ART Winter Group Exhibition
The Glucksman Domain of the Dinosaurs
Kelly’s Rosslare PAPER - PENCIL - CHISEL - STONE A joint exhibition with Michael Quane RHA
STUDIOS : ONE GALLERY An Open Occassion 3 Culture Night 2025
RHA 195th. Annual exhibition
Cnoc Buí Feast - WCC 15th. Annual Exhibition curated by Alison Ospina
Lavit Gallery PAPER - PENCIL - CHISEL - STONE A joint exhibition with Michael Quane RHA
Uillinn WCAC 41st Annual Members and Friends Exhibition
2024
BHG PAPER - PENCIL - CHISEL - STONE A joint exhibition with Michael Quane RHA
RHA 194th. Annual exhibition
BHG Summer Group Exhibition
Uillinn WCAC Annual Members and Friends Exhibition
Alexandra Hermione - Annual Exhibition
Cnoc Buí Making Connections - WCC 14th. Annual Exhibition curated by Alison Ospina
STUDIOS : ONE GALLERY An Open Occassion 2 Culture Night 2025
2022
Cnoc Buí. Folk - WCC 13th. Annual Exhibition curated by Alison Ospina
Uillinn WCAC Annual Members and Friends Exhibition
BHG Drawn Show II - Mark Making - with artists: Ian Humphries, Caterine Weld & Deirdre Cairns
STUDIOS : ONE GALLERY An Open Occassion 1 Culture Night 2025
2021
BHG Indelible -Solo Exhibition - Postcards: postcards / polaroids / stamps, drawing & 3D work
O’D Building Home Ground- WCC 12th. Annual Exhibition curated by Alison Ospina onsite/online
BHG Covid Spring & Summer Group Exhibition
Uillinn WCAC Annual Members and Friends Exhibition
2020
Uillinn WCAC - Cork Artists Winter Online Showcase ( invited ) Covid- 19 online exhibition
O’D Building Harvest - WCC 11th. Annual Exhibition curated by Alison Ospina
BHG Covid Spring & Summer Group Exhibition
Uillinn WCAC Annual Members and Friends Exhibition
2019
O’D Building Into the Woods- WCC 11th. Annual Exhibition curated by Alison Ospina
BHG After the Bauhaus - A group show curated by Brian Lalor
BHG Alternative Views - A group show curated by Ana Ospina
BHG Freedom - A group show curated by Geoff Greenham
2018
46 grand Parade Memories of a Nervous System - MA: Art & Process 2018, CIT, Crawford College of Art & Design, Cork
BHG Paintings - A small group show curated by Brian Lalor, John Doherty & Kieth Payne
TEACHING
2019 Theatre of the Image. UCC Theatre Department. Performed @ The Kino, Cork.
Working with Dr. Marie Kelly and her students. Looking at the multiple aspects of performance in and of space while creating a suitable space for students to perform the work they devised surrounding “The object”, influenced by the work of Kantor, Pina Bausch and Robert Wilson.
Making Play / Tableau Vivant
Facilitating an 8-week drama workshop with Dr. Marie Kelly for the lantern community project @ The Nano Nagle Centre Cork which we later presented as part of the Life Long Learning Festival in the Goldie Chapel, Cork.
EDUCATION
2018 MA : Art & Process, CIT Crawford College of Art & Design, Cork.
A 12 month full-time taught masters: modules in Professional practice, Institutions & Practices, Exhibition Production. Large credit studio module/ final MA exhibition & academic Thesis.
AWARDS & RESIDENCIES
2020 Spring residency @ Kunstraum LLC, NY. Cancelled due to Covid.
2018 Long listed for The RDS Visual Arts Award 2019.
EXHIBITIONS - PRE - MA: Art & Process 2018
2017
The Wild Atlantic Way - WCC 9th. Annual Exhibition curated by Alison Ospina - O’Driscoll Building
2016
The Garden An exhibition of collaborative work, WCC 8th. Annual Exhibition curated by Alison Ospina. I worked in collaboration with Pat Connor - O’Driscoll Building
Serendipity A exhibition with Pat Connor, Hammond Journeaux & Johanna Connor. Opened by Tony Barry - The Aisling Gallery
2012
Silent Art Auction - Opened by Sir David Putnam
2009
Silent Art Auction - Opened by Graham Norton ( 3D illustration in collaboration with Poet John Montague )
Trilogies - A group show: Pat Connor, Brian Lalor, Jason Lee, Gabrielle Byrne, Johanna Connor & Birgitta Safflund. Curated Connor, Byrne & Lee. Opened by Composer Maurice Seezer. - Toad Hall Gallery
2007
Nearly There - A work in Progress - with artists Gabrielle Byrne & Johanna Connor. Curated by Aoife Ruane - WCAC Opened by Brain Lalor: Artist, Author & Editor of the Encyclopedia of Ireland
2005
Out of the Barn with artists Patrick Connor, Jason Lee, Amanda Roe. A site-specific pop-up Exhibition @ Ballycumisk Stables
2004
Scene Change: One hundred years of theatre design at The Abbey Co-Curated by Joe Vanek & Helen O’ Donoghue. Opened by Robert Ballagh. ( 8 Dec 2004 – 20 Feb 2005 ) IMMA
SET & COSUME DESIGN - SINCE 2000
2011 - INSTALLATION
Our Town is Our Screen
FSFFestival - Horsebox-Cinema.
2009 - THEATRE
Big Maggie
Set design & costume consultation. The Everyman Theatre. Director: Patrick Talbot.
2006 - THEATRE
Alice Trilogy
Production Design of The Irish Premier on the Peacock Stage, The Abbey. Writer/Director: Tom Murphy
Howie The Rookie
Peacock Stage, The Abbey. Director: Jimmy Fay
True West
Costume Design - Peacock Stage, The Abbey. Director: Jimmy Fay
2005
Titus Andronicus
co-ordinator for Monica Frawley, The Project, Temple bar. Siren Productions, Director: Celina Cartmell. Costume co-ordinator for Monica Frawley
2001 - DANCE
Fragile
Revival & Tour France / The Project, Dublin. FBDC. Choreography: Michael Keegan Dolan. Assistant Ferdia Murphy.
In Dec 2000 due to a life-threatening illness I returned to West Cork and subsequently my creative path altered significantly. Nearly There was very much born from these times and my equine friends who helped me return to health.
HORSES
2008 - 2018 Fitness and Care
I Managed a private yard. My responsibilities included managing seasonal Grazing, Horse care: Health, Training and fitness, Transportation, Upkeep of equipment & grounds. The numbers and nature of Equine Stock varied from Riding horses: warm & cold blooded, Brood mares, retired eventers to young stock and the 3 donkeys.
2009 Addition to drivers Licence
2008 BHS 1 & 2, Ride & Road safety @ Clonshire Equestrian Centre
The Irish Sports Council. Child Protection in Sports Awareness Certificate.
ANIMALS by JO
Animal Portraits acrylic on canvas
2021 Pablito
2017 Mack
2015 Pheobe & Oreo - Fen - Val - Tia - 3 x Cats
2014 Sherpa - Louis - Banjo - LoLo - Charlie-George
2013 Delta - Biggie - Omega
2012 Bella Framboise
ILLUSTRATION
SINCE 1991
2016 Wedding Invitation - Quigley/Cosgrove.
2014 My Pal & Italian Ice Cream - Tom Henry.
2013 Bennie & Me - Tom Henry.
2012 Launched Nearly There - book and ipad App
At Grove House Schull on 11th. July the event was opened by Brain Lalor Artist, Author & Editor of the Encyclopedia of Ireland and was attended by over 300 people & press. Pre-Launch Shots by Axel Bernstorff. Launch shots by John Walsh.
2011/12 Produced & published Nearly There: Book & ipad App. Worked with Firsty Fish, the late Colin Vearncombe , the late Fergus O’Farrell, Maurice Seezer and Dave Bray @ MCS. Matt Mills technical support. Ashley Bernard: www.Creatures of Serendipity / Nearly There.com
2011 Wedding Invitation. Koivusaari/Connor.
2010/11 Wrote & Illustrated - How to… teach old people to ride & How to… catch a pony
2009/10 Illustrated Journey to Castlepoint. Written by Grania Mackey, Rendered by Gabrielle Byrne.
2009 Wedding Invitation. Mc Closkey/Parsons.
2003/05 Co-Illustrated & Co-Wrote Nearly There - a children’s book with Gabrielle Byrne.
2002 Founded & Registered Creatures Of Serendipity: C.O.S - A creative partnership with Gabrielle Byrne - Illustrations, T-shirts & 3D 1:25 Models b2002
1990/94 Hand-painted T-shirts - JGCdesign
In Dec 2000 due to a life-threatening illness I returned to West Cork and subsequently my creative path altered significantly. Nearly There was very much born from these times and my equine friends who helped me return to health.
SET & COSUME DESIGN - PRE 2000
2000 - THEATRE
Tree Houses
Production Design - Peacock Stage, Abbey theatre, Director: Jason Byrne
Wideboy Gospel .
Set Design - Greenwich Theatre, London. Dublin & Galway. Bedrock Productions. Director: Jimmy Fay
Marching On
Production Design - The Lyric Theatre, Belfast. Director: Stuart Graham. Written by Gary Mitchell
2000 - FILM
The Birthday Production Design Assistant - A Channel 4 short-film. Productions L.T.D. Designer: Clodagh Conroy.
Black Day at Black Rock. An R.T.E feature film. Venus Productions. Written & Directed by Gerry Stembridge. Designer: Monica Frawley.
Life in The Fast Lane
Production Designer - An RTE ‘Short Cut’ 20min. Grand Pictures L.T.D. Written & Directed by Orla Walsh.
1999 - OPERA
The Wall of Cloud
Production Design. - Opera Theatre Company. Tour & Wexford Opera Fest. Director: Jason Byrne
1999 - DANCE
Fragile
Production Design - Civic Theatre Tallaght / Dublin Fringe Fest 99. FBDC. Choreography: Michael Keegan Dolan. Nominated for best Fringe Production, Dublin.
1999 - FILM
The Widows Son Moment drawings for Director: Emer Reynolds.
Clever Dick
Production Designer - A Film-base short. Jigsaw Productions. Written & Directed by Peter Thompson
1999 - THEATRE
1999/00 Living Quarters
Production Design - Peacock Stage, Abbey theatre, Director: Jason Byrne - Revival & Tour
Judas of the Gallarus
Production Design - Peacock Stage, Abbey theatre, Director: Jason Byrne
The White Devil
Production Design - Project @ The Mint, Dublin, Loose Canon Theatre Company. Director: Jason Byrne
Quay West
Set Design - Project @ The Mint, Dublin.
1998 -FILM
Slumber
Production Design - A 5min short. Dream Productions. Written & Directed by Emer Reynolds.
1998 - DANCE
Sunday Lunch & the Good People
Production Design - The Firkin Crane & The Samuel Beckett. Choreography: Michael Keegan Dolan. Nomination for Best Fringe Production, Dublin.
1998 - THEATRE
At Swim 2 Birds
Production Design - Peacock Stage, Abbey theatre, Director: Jimmy Fay - Revival & Tour
Coriolanus.
Production Design - Project @ The Mint, Dublin. Loose Canon Theatre Company. Director: Jason Byrne
Deep Space
Set Design - The Bush Theatre, London & Dublin. Director: Jimmy Fay
ASSISTING
1998/97 & 2001
Paul Brown, London
Studio Assistant. Model making & costume rendering Paul Brown: Internationally renowned, Oscar nominated Designer - Angels and Insects) (R.I.P 2017).
1997
Quartet
Set Design - Project @ The Mint, Dublin. Director: Jimmy Fay
NOMINATIONS
1999
Fragile Best Fringe Production, Dublin.
1998
Sunday Lunch & the Good People Best Fringe Production, Dublin.
The Sunday Tribune – Joycelyn Clarke - Best Irish Set Designer
BURSARIES
1998 Arts Flight to New York.
1996 Arts Council Bursary.
MOTLEY
1997 - EXHIBITION
An Introduction @ Bedrock Office , Dublin: Storyboards, Sketchbooks, Model boxes, Costume designs, Technical Drawings.
Motley Theatre Design Exhibition - The Old Vic, London : Storyboards, Sketchbooks, Model boxes, Costume designs, Technical Drawings.
1996/ 97. The Motley Theatre Design Course, Drury, London. A 12 month full-time taught masters in Set & Costume design: script breakdown, storyboarding, research, model making, production technical drawing, costume, history, cutting & drawing and design presentation. The 11 months mirrored the professional workings behind the scenes of both theatre and film.I was Grant aided by the Arts Council for the MA course. Nowadays referred to as Scenography.
PRE MOTLEY
1996 - THEATRE
The King and I
Olympia Theatre. Prop & set painting assistant to Liz Baker.
The Life of Stuff
Set Design - Project Arts Centre, Dublin. Bedrock Productions. Director: Jimmy Fay
1995
Bedrock Productions hosted Irelands 1st Fringe Festival
The Skriker
Set Design - Project Arts Centre, Dublin. Bedrock Productions. Director: Jimmy Fay
The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Set Design - City Arts Centre, Dublin. Bedrock Productions. Director: Jimmy Fay
INITIAL EDUCATION
1994 - EXHIBITION
Limerick School of Art & Design - Diploma Exhibition - Bruce House, Limerick
1991/ 94 N.C.E. A Diploma with Merit, Fine Art/Painting. L.S.A.D, Limerick & Vigo, Spain.
1993 - EXHIBITION
Universidade De Vigo Ponteverdra, Spain Geograpfia Interior
1993 Erasmus programme with Universade De Vigo, Faculty Belles Arts, Ponteverdra,Spain. European cultural exchange program.
1990/ 91 Fitzwilliam Institute, Dun Laoghaire, Diploma with Distinction in Animation & Graphic Design.
1988/ 90 Newtown School, Waterford: Leaving-cert
1985 Schull Community College: Inter-cert