I am an artist and creative facilitator whose work explores the intersections of human perception, identity, and illness.

My practice spans large-scale installations, creative workshops, and interdisciplinary collaborations, often involving healthcare professionals, researchers, and individuals living with conditions such as Parkinson’s and dementia.

Through these collaborations, I bridge medical research and lived experience, using art as a tool for dialogue and exploration. My work challenges societal perceptions and opens new ways of understanding the complexities of health and identity, both for individuals and broader communities.

Exhibited internationally, my work pushes the boundaries of how art can engage with profound, real-world issues. I embed my artmaking within communities, creating responsive, contextually relevant works that go beyond traditional studio practice. This approach enables me to engage meaningfully with diverse groups, fostering flexible, community-centered environments.

At the core of my practice is an exploration of how art can engage with human consciousness and address the complex identities individuals carry throughout life. I focus on those often underrepresented or subjected to epistemic injustice, examining how these identities are shaped and reshaped in the face of societal challenges.

To collaborate on projects or to learn more contact: Ruairiadhoconnell@gmail.com

Education

  • 2006 – 2009 MA Fine Art, Städelschule, Frankfurt, Germany. Completed the 'Meisterschule' program in Fine Art. Professor Judith Hopf and Michael Krebber.

  • 2003 – 2006 BA (Hons) Fine Art, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK. Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Fine Art.

Fellowships & Awards

  • Awarded a Churchill Fellowship to explore how museums in the Netherlands use their collections to engage visitors, specifically focusing on tailored experiences for individuals living with illness. Conducted researchi nto museum practices, public engagement, and the development of specialised visitor experiences in the fieldof art and science.

  • Parkinson’s UK Excellence Network Award (2023) Sharing Learning and Education Award for the Patterns of Perception in Parkinson’s Disease (PoP-PD) project, recognising contributions in breaking the taboo around Parkinson’s dementia through creative engagement.

  • Wellcome Trust Public Engagement Award (2022) Awarded for innovative use of creative practice to foster public understanding of Parkinson’s Disease through multidisciplinary collaboration involving dance and performance.

Collaborative Creative Projects

  • Strengthening Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Services Provided by Alzheimer’s Society 2024
    Creative Facilitator & Researcher, Alzheimer’s Society, University College London, CentralSaint Martins

  • Institutional Group Exhibition, The Mead Gallery, Warwick University MAY 2023 - JUN 2024
    The Reason for Painting

  • Project Lead, Patterns of Perception in Parkinson’s Disease (PoP-PD)
    Collaboration withUniversity College London, Central Saint Martins, Parkinson’s UK, and Wellcome Trust 2022 - 2023

  • Project Lead, Patterns of Perception in Parkinson’s Disease (PoP-PD)
    Collaboration withUniversity College London, Central Saint Martins, Parkinson’s UK, and Wellcome Trust 2022 - 2023

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2022 - Perceptions of Ted, English National Ballet, Cubitt Square, London

2017 - Psycho Topography, Jessica Silverman, San Francisco, CA

2017 - Accurate Results, DKUK, London, UK

2017 - Profiles in custody, Josh Lilley Gallery, London, UK

2015 - Solo Booth, Frieze Art Fair, Jessica Silverman Gallery, London, UK

2014 - Invisible Green, Jessica Silverman, San Francisco, CA

2014 - Solo Booth Project Native Informant for MiArt, Milan, Italy

2013 - Pro Numb, London, UK

2013 - Project Native Informant, London, UK

2012 - Invites Series, 176 Zabludowicz Collection, London,

2011 - Knuckle, Mark and Kyoko, Berlin, GermanyRetina Burns,

2011 - Halle Fur Kunst with Hermes und der Pfau, Luneburg, Germany

2010 - Six Play, Bischoff/Weiss, London, UK

2009 Peek-a-boo, Projekt-Display, Frankfurter Kunstverein, Frankfurt, Germany

2008 - You Would Never Leave Me Would You, Bischoff/Weiss, London, England

Selected Group Exhibitions

2022 - Here we Are In Croydon, Belén Rodríguez , Ruairiadh O’Connell, Gabriella Boyd & Sula Bermúdez-Silverman Josh Lilley Gallery, London

2020 - Patterns of Perception, Central Saint Martins, University of Arts London, UK

2018 - Kinship, Jessica Silverman, San Francisco, CA

2016 - The Present and the Probable , fused space, San Francisco, CA

2015 - True Players, W139, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2015 - Weird Science, Marianne Boeksy Gallery, New York, NY

2015 - Adventures in Bronze, Clay & Stone, Icastica Festival 2015, Furini Arte Contemporanea, Arezzo, Italy

2015 - Warp & Riff: Unraveling Rugs as Raw Material, McClain Gallery, Houston, TX

2014 - Art Basel Miami Beach, Miami, FL

2014 - Control Lapse, Josh Lilley Gallery, London, UK

2014 - A Merman I Should Turn To Be, Laura Bartlett Gallery, London, UK

2014 - Khar Pidda – A Tribute, Flash Art NY Desk, New York, NY

2013 - Architecture Undigested, Fused Space, San Francisco, CA

2013 - Prodigal in Blue, Jessica Jackson Hutchens, Michael E. Smith, George Henry Longly, Ruairiadh O’Connell, Stewart Uoo, Laura Bartlett Gallery, London, UK

2012 - Hang Up, Josh Lilley, London, UK

2012 - Peles Empire, London, UK Original

2012 - Glaze, Galerie Valentin, Paris, France

2012 - Los Pasos Perdidos, Andreas Huber, Vienna, Austria

2011 - Encore, MMK Museum für Moderne Kunst, Frankfurt,

2011 - GermanyBosch Young Talent Show, Stadelik Museum S-Hertogenbosch, Amsterdam, Netherlands

2011 - Sticks and Stones, Peres Projects, Berlin, Germany

2011 - Cladows, Weltkulturen Museum, Frankfurt, Germany

2011 - The Long Day Wanes, The Malayan Trilogy, Zinger Presents, Amsterdam, Netherlands

2011 - Cold Society, KW69, Kunst-Werke, Berlin, Germany

2011 - Keep Floors and Passages Clear, White Columns, New York, NY

2010 - Notices, International Project Space, Birmingham, UK

2010 - Something Blue, A Curiosa of Contemporary Erotica, Neue Alte Brücke, Frankfurt, Germany

2010 - Frankfurt Film Festival, Frankfurt, Germany

2009 - Evading Customs, Brown Gallery, London, UKWhat Was The Word I Want?,

2009 - Galeries Hussenot, Paris, France

2009 - Sorry I can’t Stay To Do The Dishes, Andrea Rosen Gallery, New York, NY

2009 - Writing Objects, Art:Concept, Paris, France 

Bibliography

Steer, Emily. “New Establishment: Ruairiadh O’Connell.” Elephant Magazine. September

Basciano, Oliver. “Ruairiadh O’Connell’s Chevron Relief III: a pattern of crime.” The Guardian. August 25, 2017.

Luke, Ben. “Six Artists to Watch at Frieze.” The Art Newspaper. October 15,

Gottschalk, Molly. “The 15 Best Booths at Frieze London.” Artsy. October 15, 2015

“Artist to Watch: Ruairiadh O’Connell.” Contemporary Art Society, September 30, 2015.

Floor, Darren, “Finding Things Out: On Waiting, Honesty, and Hope in Ruairiadh O’Connell’s Artistic Process,”Flash Art, July.Thibualt, Sarah, “’Invisible Green’ at Jessica Silverman Gallery,” SFAQ, June.

d’Elbee, Maria, “Project Number, London, Review,” this is tomorrow, November.