Michael O'Connell (1898-1976)
"Leprechauns"
Signed, hessian wall hanging with hand embellishment circa 1967, 125cm by 175cm

Sold together with a copy of Michael O'Connell "The Lost Modernist" by Harriet Edquist

Michael O'Connell (1898–1976) was born to Irish parents, initially living in Dalton followed by Lancashire and Cumbria. In his early years he was sent as a lay boy to Ushaw College, a Roman Catholic seminary in County Durham. In 1920 he emigrated to Australia where his artistic career began, firstly creating watercolours, concrete pots and ornaments. He gained great acclaim in this field and became an active member of the Arts and Crafts Society of Victoria. After a visit home to England O’Connell started creating textile designs with Australian inspiration. Using a combination of techniques and ideas the works featured vibrant primitive designs in bright colours.

O’Connell returned to England in 1937. Here he purchased land at Perry Green and built The Chase House and Studio. He established links with many decorative textile companies including Heals and Harrods of London which sold much of his work. Although production halted during WW2, O’Connell used this time to develop techniques, moving into freehand drawing and resist pastes. When the war ended Christopher Heal was instrumental in obtaining supplies of fabric to enable work to begin again. The newly developed techniques were those used to create the Festival of Britain Wall hangings.

After the Festival of Britain, the popularity of Michael's work increased and he received commissions to create murals for public buildings, restaurants, factory canteens and showrooms. In the 1960s, he began to travel widely and to teach his techniques in art schools. He also worked with architects, producing murals for universities and churches. Collections of his work are held in the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Museum of English Rural Life, the National Museums Scotland, the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra and the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.