Mary O’Connor Balance 1

Gesso Panel 150 x 20cmMary O’Connor, painter, photographer and author. A native of Wexford town, studied design in Dublin, following a stint with Kilkenny Design Centre for young designers she worked as an interior designer in London and New Zealand. Art College in Auckland opened her eyes to the world of contemporary art. In 2000 Mary moved to Belize in Central America, where her brush flowed with tropical inspiration. In 2003 she followed her engineer husband to Almaty, Kazakhstan where her work was abundantly inspired by glorious scenery, vast landscapes, infinite white winters and a chai and a chat with a friend. Over eleven years Mary got to know Central Asia intimately and at the same time observed her adopted homeland as an outsider.Inspired constantly by the events of everyday life, the result … a series of beautiful books of photography, Head over Heels and Chai and Chat, Central Asia through the eyes of foreigners. All proceeds worth $50,000 were donated to Dara Foundation, a charity serving the under privileged children in KazakhstanThankful for having spent over a decade in this fascinating region, and now settling back into life in Ireland, Mary wants to share her love of the people and land of Central Asia with you.Her work can be found in many private collections and as follows: Office of Public Works, work selected for the New Government offices Office of Public Works, for the Environmental Protection Agency Holles Street Hospital Collection, Dublin Wexford County Council Public Collection Ferrycarrick Hotel, Wexford Vocational College, Wexford Beat FM Broadcasting House Waterford Med TV Ltd New Zealand Belize Audubon Society Chaa Creek Resort and Spa Belize Jaguar Reef Resort Belize Deloitte, Kazakhstan Citi Bank, Kazakhstan Grolsch, Kazakhstan Shymbulak Ski Resort, Kazakhstan