As a child Helen O’Connell loved making things, but after studying English literature at university she thought she would go on to write, rather than work with her hands. However a trip to Russia sparked an interest in sculpture and she soon became determined to learn stone carving. After training in Ireland she went on to learn from marble masters in Italy and Portugal, before “coming full circle” and ending up back in her homeland carving local Irish limestone. She now works thematically, creating a body of work around a theme that inspires her, whether it be musical instruments, abstract forms or the rocky fissures on Irish mountains.
Helen O’Connell