Dr Laura O’Connor is a visual artist and lecturer based in Belfast. O’Connor’s work combines performance, sculpture, installation, video and digital media to look at the representation of “women” in the media and through cultural narratives. Recent works include Cultural Methods an ongoing project researching the digital surveillance of fertility and its links to cultural narratives and the treatment of reproductive autonomy in Ireland; Uncomfortable State (2017-2019) a series of live performances, sculptural works and video installations based around abortion rights in Ireland.
Laura is also a member of Array Collective. Array won the Turner Prize in 2021. Notable exhibitions include An Dùn at IMMA Dublin in 2023-2024, The Druthaib's Ball, Ulster Museum (2023), Galway Arts Centre (2022), Herbert Art Gallery, Coventry (2021); Jerwood Collaborate!,Jerwood Arts, London, (2019). O’Connor is also co-director of WANDA:Feminism and Moving Image, an organisation that exhibits moving image works by and about women and under-represented voices working alongside industry organisations and individuals to expose inequality in the film industry.
Recent exhibitions and residencies include, RUA Annual, Dublin (2024); Curating Activism, UU Belfast (2024); Belfast International Festival of Performance Art, (2024); HUMAN, group show at 126 Gallery, Galway, 2020; Rapid Residency with Science Gallery Dublin and Provost's Academic Development Fund from Trinity College Dublin, 2020; Wish You Were Here, 2020, interactive film project with Grace Sweeney as part of Future Screens NI Rewriting the Narrative scheme. O’Connor has a PhD with practice from Ulster University (2018), MFA Ulster University (2011), BA Sculpture and Combined Media from Limerick School of Art and Design (2008). Her work has been funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Freelands Foundation, A-N Artist Fund and Cavan Arts Office.
Laura is also a member of Array Collective. Array won the Turner Prize in 2021. Notable exhibitions include An Dùn at IMMA Dublin in 2023-2024, The Druthaib's Ball, Ulster Museum (2023), Galway Arts Centre (2022), Herbert Art Gallery, Coventry (2021); Jerwood Collaborate!,Jerwood Arts, London, (2019). O’Connor is also co-director of WANDA:Feminism and Moving Image, an organisation that exhibits moving image works by and about women and under-represented voices working alongside industry organisations and individuals to expose inequality in the film industry.
Recent exhibitions and residencies include, RUA Annual, Dublin (2024); Curating Activism, UU Belfast (2024); Belfast International Festival of Performance Art, (2024); HUMAN, group show at 126 Gallery, Galway, 2020; Rapid Residency with Science Gallery Dublin and Provost's Academic Development Fund from Trinity College Dublin, 2020; Wish You Were Here, 2020, interactive film project with Grace Sweeney as part of Future Screens NI Rewriting the Narrative scheme. O’Connor has a PhD with practice from Ulster University (2018), MFA Ulster University (2011), BA Sculpture and Combined Media from Limerick School of Art and Design (2008). Her work has been funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Freelands Foundation, A-N Artist Fund and Cavan Arts Office.
