Drawing on the allegory of American consciousness through the use of iconic characters, work by Kelly O’Connor is derived from a combination of memory, fantasy, and pop culture.
Kelly is particularly interested in the duality of characters that represent American idealism, yet were often tragic figures in their actual lives (as Judy Garland). Much of her work is about exposing the reality behind these public façades. Many of the female characters in her work have a look of bliss or artificial happiness, while many of the male characters represent the ominous “man behind the curtain” or the creators of the stories.
Kelly strives to create scenes through which the viewer can experience the influence or spell that timeless narratives can cast over our lives. These stories contain so many archetypes and subliminal messages which provide an endless source of inspiration. Often, she combines several fairy tales to give an overall sense of these stories, staging familiar characters in menacing landscapes.
By appropriating idealized American scenes, such as Disneyland and Yellowstone National Park, and creating a non-linear narrative, she intentionally leaves the situation ambiguous in order for the viewer to relate their own experiences to the suggested scenarios.
Playing with color is central to Kelly’s process. She creates candy-colored surfaces that are so sweet it’s sick, and incorporate colors sampled from vintage record covers. The contrast of sparkling rays and neon colors against weathered, dull tones acts as a metaphor for the duality within the characters.
Images courtesy of Kelly O’Connor
Discover: kellyoconnor.carbonmade.com
