Michael O'Connell: The Kost Modernist
Nov 26, 2011 - Feb 19, 2012
The lost modernist examines the work of British/Australian textile artist Michael O鈥機onnell. Born in Cumbria in 1898 O鈥機onnell moved to Australia in 1920. Over the following 17 years he became a critical member of the burgeoning Modernist movement in Melbourne.
O鈥機onnell, a member of the Arts and Crafts Society of Melbourne, made an enormous contribution to the development of modernism in Australia through his innovative and dynamic textiles. On his return to the UK in 1937, O鈥機onnell became a key figure in contemporary textile design, working with renowned textile manufacturer Heals. O鈥機onnell was also commissioned to produce the celebrated Festival of Britain wall hangings in 1951, which are now in the collection of the Museum of English Rural Life, Reading.
The exhibition has been co-curated by Professor Harriet Edquist, Director, Design Archives RMIT University and Tansy Curtin, Curator, Bendigo Art Gallery. A book on the life and work of O鈥機onnell by Edquist will be published concurrently.
O鈥機onnell, a member of the Arts and Crafts Society of Melbourne, made an enormous contribution to the development of modernism in Australia through his innovative and dynamic textiles. On his return to the UK in 1937, O鈥機onnell became a key figure in contemporary textile design, working with renowned textile manufacturer Heals. O鈥機onnell was also commissioned to produce the celebrated Festival of Britain wall hangings in 1951, which are now in the collection of the Museum of English Rural Life, Reading.
The exhibition has been co-curated by Professor Harriet Edquist, Director, Design Archives RMIT University and Tansy Curtin, Curator, Bendigo Art Gallery. A book on the life and work of O鈥機onnell by Edquist will be published concurrently.
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The lost modernist examines the work of British/Australian textile artist Michael O鈥機onnell. Born in Cumbria in 1898 O鈥機onnell moved to Australia in 1920. Over the following 17 years he became a critical member of the burgeoning Modernist movement in Melbourne.
O鈥機onnell, a member of the Arts and Crafts Society of Melbourne, made an enormous contribution to the development of modernism in Australia through his innovative and dynamic textiles. On his return to the UK in 1937, O鈥機onnell became a key figure in contemporary textile design, working with renowned textile manufacturer Heals. O鈥機onnell was also commissioned to produce the celebrated Festival of Britain wall hangings in 1951, which are now in the collection of the Museum of English Rural Life, Reading.
The exhibition has been co-curated by Professor Harriet Edquist, Director, Design Archives RMIT University and Tansy Curtin, Curator, Bendigo Art Gallery. A book on the life and work of O鈥機onnell by Edquist will be published concurrently.
O鈥機onnell, a member of the Arts and Crafts Society of Melbourne, made an enormous contribution to the development of modernism in Australia through his innovative and dynamic textiles. On his return to the UK in 1937, O鈥機onnell became a key figure in contemporary textile design, working with renowned textile manufacturer Heals. O鈥機onnell was also commissioned to produce the celebrated Festival of Britain wall hangings in 1951, which are now in the collection of the Museum of English Rural Life, Reading.
The exhibition has been co-curated by Professor Harriet Edquist, Director, Design Archives RMIT University and Tansy Curtin, Curator, Bendigo Art Gallery. A book on the life and work of O鈥機onnell by Edquist will be published concurrently.
Artists on show
Contact details
Sunday - Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
42 View Street Bendigo, Australia 3550
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