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Denis O'Connor

DENIS O'CONNOR

Lucken's Margin Two Rooms 21 July–19 August 2023 Auckland
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Press Release

The archaeology of the exhibition Lucken’s Margin traverses territory that begins with a stack of 11 mountain tea-bowls, complete with thumbprint wad from the Heian Dynasty (9-11th century), given to O’Connor in 1982 by the great Japanese artist Ryoji Koie (d. 2020); then proceeds to a horse-bone butter knife, made by a German prisoner of World War Ⅱ who was a pacifist and opposed to the Nazi regime.

Along the way O’Connor honours plain everyday things that are imbued with crucial personal narratives and conceptual layering. These stratified stories define his primary subjects, such as, parenthood, conservation of bird species, hospitality, the mystery of time passing, society’s subcultures, burning apples, and even celebrates the importance of a particular pencil sharpener from the world’s oldest art-supplies shop in Paris.

Three lost porcelain ceramic pieces made in 1981 make guest appearances, in duets with sculptural partners produced during Denis O’Connor’s recent artist residency at Sarjeant Art Gallery, Whanganui. Two of these sculptures explore language, native tongue and speechlessness. We also meet some survivors from the mighty Whanganui River, and get advice on how to improve sleep by one of the most eminent poets of our time.

The exhibition includes a collaboration with Texas-based New Zealand artist Kate Newby.

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Installation Views

Selected Works

Article HQ by Denis OConnor contemporary artwork sculpture
Denis O'Connor Article HQ, 2023 Dominoes, carved pigmented Welsh slate
25.5 x 22 cm
 Two Rooms Request Price & Availability
Bonelight by Denis OConnor contemporary artwork sculpture
Denis O'Connor Bonelight, 2022 Horse Bone butter knife, silver pins, pigmented waxed Welsh slate
25.5 x 21 cm
 Two Rooms Sold
Burning Applies by Denis OConnor contemporary artwork
Denis O'Connor Burning Applies, 2022 Dominoes, glaze tests, carved pigmented Vermont slate
20.5 x 17.5 cm
 Two Rooms Sold
Cairn of the Hourglass by Denis OConnor contemporary artwork sculpture
Denis O'Connor Cairn of the Hourglass, 2022 Bone dominoes, carved pigmented waxed Vermont slate
24 x 17.5 cm
 Two Rooms Sold
Dreamstrokes by Denis OConnor contemporary artwork sculpture
Denis O'Connor Dreamstrokes, 2022 Brass Carpenters Rule, carved pigmented waxed Welsh slate
31 x 25 cm
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Drummer Boy by Denis OConnor contemporary artwork drawing works on paper
Denis O'Connor Drummer Boy, 2022 Bone dominoes, carpenters pencil, carved pigmented Welsh Slate
22.5 x 22.2 cm
 Two Rooms Sold
Kawakawa Masquerade by Denis OConnor contemporary artwork sculpture
Denis O'Connor Kawakawa Masquerade, 2022 Bone dominoes, carved pigmented waxed Welsh slate
25 x 21 cm
 Two Rooms Sold
Kerfuffle St. Kevin and the Marginals by Denis OConnor contemporary artwork
Denis O'Connor Kerfuffle, (St. Kevin and the Marginals), 2022 Dominoes, glaze tests, carved pigmented Vermont slate
17.5 x 20.5 cm
 Two Rooms Sold
OSHIBAMA 1 1883 by Denis OConnor contemporary artwork print
Denis O'Connor OSHIBAMA 1, 1883 From album of pressed native plants, 1883
32.5 x 26.5 cm
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Pencil Sharpener by Denis OConnor contemporary artwork sculpture
Denis O'Connor Pencil Sharpener, 2022 Wooden Ruler, carved pigmented Welsh slate
25.5 x 20 cm
 Two Rooms Request Price & Availability
River Passage by Denis OConnor contemporary artwork
Denis O'Connor River Passage, 2022 Dominoes, carved pigmented Vermont slate
25.5 x 17 cm
 Two Rooms Request Price & Availability
The Bowl that Waited by Denis OConnor contemporary artwork sculpture
Denis O'Connor The Bowl that Waited, 1982 Painted wood, Japanese Cedar box ebonised, Argillite stone, soda fired copper infused porcelain
138.5 x 21.5 x 24 cm
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The Jar Known as Mother-Tongue by Denis OConnor contemporary artwork sculpture
Denis O'Connor The Jar Known as Mother-Tongue, 2022 Ebonized Pohutukawa, Spanish oak feet, twice fired saltglazed porcelain 1981
24 x 21 x 48 cm
 Two Rooms Request Price & Availability
The jar known as tongue tied by Denis OConnor contemporary artwork sculpture
Denis O'Connor The jar known as tongue tied, 2023 Painted Japanese ceramic box, copper infused porcelain jar (1981), polished Rhodolite pebble
38.5 x 28 x 43 cm
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The Plumassier The Feather Trader by Denis OConnor contemporary artwork sculpture
Denis O'Connor The Plumassier (The Feather Trader), 2022/2023 Pigmented carved waxed welsh slate, Irish Folk Remedy Text
25 x 23 cm
 Two Rooms Request Price & Availability
The Tangler and the Trees by Denis OConnor contemporary artwork
Denis O'Connor The Tangler and the Trees, 2022 Dominoes, glaze tests, pigmented carved waxed Welsh slate
25.5 x 21 cm
 Two Rooms Request Price & Availability
Umu Kotuku Nankeen Night Heron by Denis OConnor contemporary artwork drawing sculpture
Denis O'Connor Umu Kotuku (Nankeen Night Heron), 2022 Carpenter pencil, carved pigmented Welsh slate
25 x 21 cm
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About the Artist

Denis O’Connor’s sculpture ranges from public monuments to the most private and intimate narratives. Since 1985 he has re-imagined the potential of stone as a material relevant to contemporary art. Collaborations with painters, architects and poets have been a crucial component of his practice.

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Also Exhibiting at Two Rooms

All Exhibitions
Ann Shelton
ANN SHELTON i am an old phenomenon Two Rooms 5 June–11 July 2026 Auckland
Conor Clarke
CONOR CLARKE Rongo Two Rooms 5 June–11 July 2026 Auckland
About the Gallery

Two Rooms is a contemporary art exhibition venue located in a converted warehouse in Central Auckland, New Zealand. Opened in August 2006, Two Rooms presents a program of residencies and projects by leading International and New Zealand contemporary artists. The building houses two exhibition spaces, the Project Room and the Long Room.

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Address
16 Putiki Street
Newton
Auckland
New Zealand
Opening Hours
Tue - Fri, 11am - 6pm
Sat, 11am - 3pm
(1)
Auckland 16 Putiki Street, Newton
Two Rooms contemporary art gallery in Auckland New Zealand
Two Rooms
16 Putiki Street, Newton, Auckland, New Zealand
+64 9 360 5900
http://www.tworooms.co.nz

Opening hours
Tue - Fri, 11am - 6pm
Sat, 11am - 3pm
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