Sometimes, Connor, it feels like I’m just waiting to die, 2018

The 2020 Ingram Prize

Connor’s work concerns itself with the kitsch charity shop ornaments that once took pride and place in a home and then end up in the bargain bucket at the local Oxfam.

He says “Many of my works are reinterpretations of these objects including objects from museum collections (as in my opinion museums are just glorified charity shops but with much fancier items) but with either a socio-political undertone or a reflection on one’s childhood memories. Sometimes, Connor, it feels like I’m waiting to die – Depressed Ewer was created in reaction to a conversation I had with my mother when asked what it feels like to live in Oldham, our hometown. I didn’t intend on creating the piece when I was making the Ewer – but the first signals of my mum’s depression were playing on my mind as I was going through the same feelings at the time. It felt like I was subconsciously putting these feelings and emotions into the piece and the clay knew how to respond. It kept slumping, unable to meet me halfway, and do what I wanted: to be the perfect ewer.  Eventually, I succumbed to material and the process and stopped forcing the clay to be perfect but allowed it to react to my emotions at the time.”