Ruairiadh O'Connell

The referential work of Scottish-born artist Ruairiadh O’Connell investigates the intersections between history, sociology and chemistry, often focusing on one particular element, which he transforms through artistic process. Challenging the behavior and psychology behind various social structures, such as the casino, or airplane interiors. Narrowing his visual signifiers down to the carpeting, or privacy curtains, O’Connell appropriates and repurposes these patterns as a means of exploring the relationship between human beings and their surrounding environments. Delving into the subliminal influence of such elements, O’Connell’s work acts as both creative impulse and measured analysis—visually manipulating the unconscious mind.

O’Connell has had solo exhibitions at a number of galleries and institutions including Frankfurter Kunstverein, Frankfurt, International project space, Birmingham, UK, Landings, Oslo, Zabludowicz Collection, London, Project Native Informant, London, and Jessica Silverman Gallery, San Francisco. Group shows include Marianne Boesky Gallery, New York, Laura Bartlett Gallery, London, Galerie Valentin, Paris, MMK Museum für Moderne Kunst, Frankfurt, Stadelik Museum S-Hertogenbosch, Andrea Rosen Gallery, New York, and the Frankfurt Film Festival, Frankfurt.