John Hurrell – 10 July, 2025

The relationship of language (either as a label for ‘naming’ or as an independent expression floating free of any object or thing) to visually perceived images is the investigating theme explored in this Denis O’Connor show and its eloquent attendant artist’s essay. Pondering the nature of ‘connection’ or ‘relevance’-the assumed worthiness of titles, or lack of—this way forces a rethink about words, meaning and connotation.

This might be seen as poetic licence for sure, if you happen to be obsessed with dictionaries promoting ‘tight’ elucidation. O’Connor is clearly enthusiastic about the possibilities of speculative searches for meaning that is mysterious and not literal—using the sequencing of alphabetical order as a starting point for reading images co-joined with letters on pieces of slate. Unexpected ‘arbitrary’ options are embraced as a means of prodding the viewer’s imagination: within individually titled pictorial units or groups—and even the carefully chosen roofing material that is used as a support for painted ‘alphabetical’ images.

These peculiar titling phrases or sentences, whilst uncertain and slippery in their connections, more importantly as overt visual images also slide around to evoke—for from the catalogue we discover O’Connor is (apart from his deep love of Irish literary culture) chasing after twenty-seven new spinning or zigzagging combinations of meaning, and inviting you to follow.

My personal favourtie is G for Glimmerman, an opaque reference to Bob Dylan, somebody I admire greatly. To explain further: he was born Bob Zimmerman and like most fans, I hold a burning candle for his long complex contribution to contemporary songwriting, singing and poetry.  With his ‘broom’ of great talent and hard work he brushes most competiton aside. The candle here also stands for the passing of time generally taken to complete sweeping. The duration of a career.

Visual images have very different associative and connecting properties (such as no rigidly apparent spoken sound) than read rows of sequenced words in a sentence. Using the power of suggestion, different mental pleasures are apparent. New types of emphasis. Visual and auditory sensations included. Coming from unpredictable directions.

John Hurrell

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