Patrick O'Rourke Fine Art

Passage: bathurst (2006)

2008-11-20T06:17:00.001-08:00

passage- bathurst no1 Charcoal on wood 2006 35in x 40in

passage- bathurst no2 Charcoal on wood 2006 35in x 40in

passage- bathurst no3 Charcoal on wood 2006 35in x 40in

Other side of the world (2006)

2008-11-20T06:12:00.000-08:00

Other side of the world Charcoal on wood 2006 45in by 35in

No road Home ( 2006)

2008-11-20T05:52:00.000-08:00

No road home no1 Charcoal on wood 2006 30in x 65in

No road home no2 Charcoal on wood 2006 30in x 65in

No road home no3 (ray) Charcoal on wood 2006 30in x 65in

No road home no4 (Andy) Charcoal on wood 2006 30in x 30in

No road home no4 (kate) Charcoal on wood 2006 30in x 30in

No road home no6 Charcoal on wood 2006 30in x 65in

Passage: stoke 2006

2007-09-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

There are two bodies of work that fall under the title “passage”, both began with a very similar theme. I wanted to deal with a world close to me, the landscape of the tenement housings that I grew up in without a human subject but still showing traces of some life. I wanted to give a feeling of what life was like on an English housing estate. It seemed logical to remove the human subject to build the atmosphere. I wanted to give the viewer the impression of passing through a lonely urban setting. I wanted to lead the viewer into the image using darker tones to build anxiety.

8am to 6pm

2007-09-17T08:38:00.000-07:00

This drawing was my attempt to continue where my work had left off in the “ideal HOME” project. The focus of work had shifted I wanted to show what was (or perhaps could have been) left behind, the trace of lives. Letting the viewer see in to a world, an uncomfortable world of a context of grim, everyday life, whist tiring to understand the narrative of what are seeing.
With this mind it seemed more appropriate to place my work in to the environments that reinforce the ideas of the work, as I had in Bentilee. My initial idea was to using an entire room, drawing directly on to the walls, the viewer was no longer just an observer but involved with the work in a more physical panorama.

As I progressed, I feel that this concept held two inherent problems, the first begin that if the images would work better in different environment than a studio and the practicality with in a working studio, such as using projection with in a confined space or interfering with others using exhibition spaces.
The work I had produced for ideal home exhibition had been a success because it fitted comfortable with in the surroundings. It become clear that if the images where place in an environment that was outside the studio, the viewer would connect more with the themes of the work.

new work at last!

2007-06-13T10:38:00.000-07:00

This is Hope Media Charcoal and pastels on paper Date produced 2007 Dimensions 62cmx93cm 24x37
Soon to be donated Emergency Department of Royal Liverpool University Hospital (England)

Imperial War Museum North

2007-04-12T08:16:00.000-07:00

This work was produce as part of an art workshop, dealing with themes of displacement due conflict. I was a contributor to the Moving Minds exhibition and structured the workshop.

Cover.

The piece itself consisted of eight slides. Two sets of photographs where produced to make up the body of the projection. The first contained models in period dress where produce and the placed in scenes of conflicts from the last century. Each image was constructed from two or more photographs. The first stage of process was finding the correct costumes. The costumes warn in the images are made up from a model’s father’s nation service uniforms, a second hand trench coat (my own clothing) and hand made rifle built from everything for a copper pipe to the nick of cocoa cola bottle. The next stage involves changing the tone of the image. After this, the color was tuned to a duotone then burled to convey to the viewer that the image is an authentic image taken from one the wars of the last century. The final stage is to place the image out a background. Each background used where taken from my own collection of photographs shot over the last five years. Other images used where screen captured from DVD videos. (The tanks used in the background for image are from “Evita”).

Different stages

In the second set the models striped from waist up with text placed on to their chest that confesses there true feelings as a way showing the external to the internal self.( At the time a mistaken was made, I only shot the models with set of text. The rest of the text was added in later on Photoshop.)

I wanted to show what it feels like in the hearts of the men who want to war. The message that I wanted to give the viewer is that war not only outwardly destructive but also internally damaging to those involved. The final project was made up of eight slides, with many slides left out as I felt any more the four of each would reduce the impact of images.

Each set then will be made into slides and projected on to the Silos of the war museum. The images would in turn from the external to the internal self at timed intervals. This would appear as an image of a solider in mists of war for thirty seconds followed by thirty seconds of darkness just long enough for the viewer to be on the cusp of walking away and for five brief seconds an image of the photographic protagonist will return for five seconds, allowing the viewer to see what the felt inside, then the cycle would begin again after a thirty second interval.
The final eight

Unused images.

ideal HOME (2005)

2007-04-08T12:22:00.000-07:00

The “ideal HOME” project was devised to put contemporary Art which deals with the everyday and the domestic, back into the very rooms and spaces that it deals with. Four flat where donated by the Bentilee community housing and thought out the exhibition, unless alerted by the artist remind as the where fond, with the original décor and rubbish still in the same place as it was left by former the tenants.

Over forty artists where invited to take part, each using the flats to shape their work in what became a rewarding show for both the artists and the local community lasting over eight days peaking the interest of local press and the Major of the city towards fine art. For me this was the culmination of two years practise, which saw me move away from working on paper to work on found objects and even walls. When I was asked to take part in the ideal home exhibition, I was originally to show a body of work called Somebody Else Could Have Said It Better. Three days before the opening I was ask if it would be possible for me to draw strait onto the wall of the flat in which my work was to be show.

Drawing No1

Detail of Drawing no 1

Unlike the mainstay of my practice, this work was rushed in to action, with out much research and preparation, this lead to a slightly different vision of one of the paces “Somebody Else Could Have Said It Better”. This pushed my work forward; braking away form static images to work that were akin to sets for the viewer to interact with. My drawings became physical part of world in which they where set in. In the original version I wanted to the viewer to see a scene between two people, once in which they could have just walked into. In this version this idea became more tangible. A second drawing was produce after the exhibition had opened looking out from the kitchen in to room with the main drawing. A third and final was produce at the end of show, on the back of door lending in to the room with the first drawing.

Drawing no 2

(me with a at the time very bad hair cut)

Drawing no3

At the end of the show the work was remove form the walls as the flat was given back to the Bentilee community housing. Unable to take the work with me, I washed down the walls removing the drawings. The door on which the third drawing was produced on to was the only part of the work to survive.

The removal of the work

(Tom Vickery help to move my work)

This was also the first time I produce a workshop for children and young adults, explaining the work in the exhibition and giving demonstrations on how to work with charcoal.

Photos by Victoria Hepworth

Somebody could have said it better

2007-04-08T09:17:00.000-07:00

These drawings, entitled “somebody else could have said it better” produced while studying at Staffordshire University. The work was inspired by the look and feel of the nineteen fifty’s kitchen skin dramas as films such Room Up Top and an “a Touch of honey”. The main goal this work was to invoke the same mood. I wanted to the viewer see scene between two people, once in which they could have just walked into, with a hint of dark undertone in echoing the setting that reflected the fifty’s Britain depicted in the movies. The body of work involved behind these drawings was one the largest I have ever produced.

Sketch of somebody else could have said it better

Five models where used, including my self, to pose for photos. Each drawing was designed on Photoshop by removing the color from the photograph and then layered together a second photography to produce the right compensation I wanted. With endless possibilities I produce over a hundred versions for what became just five drawings.

The Different stages

Examples of the mock up's.

The work first shown in the conjunction LA04 exhibition in 2004 and was not one of my best bodies of work then or now in terms of drawing but it was the starting point for my work that followed in the scene of look and feel. “Somebody could have said it better No1”

This work has been recently reworked and donated to Transvoyeur Charity Auction for Emergency Department of Royal Liverpool University Hospital (England). This has prompted to consider up date all the drawings for this body of work or produce prints of the photographs at some point.

Title of piece of work: somebody could have said it better No1
Media: Charcoal and pastel on paper
Date produced: 2004 -2007
Dimensions: 52 in x 71 in

Title of piece of work: somebody could have said it better No2
Media: Charcoal and pastel on paper
Date produced: 2004
Dimensions: 52 in x 71 inTitle of piece of work: somebody could have said it better No3
Media: Charcoal and pastel on paper
Date produced: 2004
Dimensions: 52 in x 71 in
Title of piece of work: somebody could have said it better No4
Media: Charcoal and pastel on paper
Date produced: 2004
Dimensions: 52 in x 71 in
Title of piece of work: somebody could have said it better No5
Media: Charcoal and pastel on paper
Date produced: 2004
Dimensions: 52 in x 71 in

Id-entity (2004)

2007-04-08T08:49:00.001-07:00

These works where produced as attempt to explore ideas of identity and communication (and was inspired by an argument with a follow student after being unable to get my point of view across.) The work shows striped figures down to the underwear reviling their innermost feelings. These drawings attempt confront the viewer with the uncomfortable idea of seeing someone you don’t know striped bare and their feeling placed on display for all to see. The drawings where first displayed as part of the Identity, sex and death exhibition in 2004 at Cadman Studios Elective Gallery, Staffordshire University along side the work of Victoria Hepworth Title of piece of work: Id-entirety no1
Media: Charcoal on paper
Date produced: 2004
Dimensions: 51 in x 64 in

Title of piece of work: Id-entirety no2
Media: Charcoal on paper
Date produced: 2004
Dimensions: 51 in x 64 in
Title of piece of work: Id-entirety no3
Media: Charcoal on paper
Date produced: 2004
Dimensions: 51 in x 64 in
Title of piece of work: Id-entirety no4
Media: Charcoal on paper
Date produced: 2004
Dimensions: 51 in x 64 in
Title of piece of work: Id-entirety no5
Media: Charcoal on paper
Date produced: 2004
Dimensions: 51 in x 64 in

Early work

2007-04-08T08:43:00.000-07:00

The early work ensample of what would become my practice shown here in two self-portraits produced in the middle of 2003. This small body of work is the first to be produced after a slow start at university. Both charcoal drawings where produce with a week of each other, the first (, landscape format) showed me looking out at the viewer. As can see there is no back gourd or indication of setting, in the second (portrait format) shows the beginnings of the direction my practice has taken. The idea behind second was to show a view into a part of my life, the image is of me drying after a shower a part of daily routine life, my morning, which would not normally be shown but we all do. However, what I feel important is the dark and gritty tones within these charcoal drawings, a part of my early work that is now a stable of my current work. Although these charcoal drawings are not my most successful the two of the most significant in my portfolio as they are the beginning of much of my work.

Title: untitled no1
Media: Charcoal on paper
Date produced: 2003
Dimensions: 45in by 35in
Title: untitled no2
Media: Charcoal on paper
Date produced: 2003
Dimensions: 25in by 35in

Recent work

2007-04-08T07:54:00.000-07:00

I have chosen to place as much of work online as possible, not simply to draw attention to my work but to allow others to tell me what the think. All are welcome to post a comment if they wish.
Over the last four years, I have produced a large body of work mainly in charcoal. In my practice drawing is my principle medium but I have also have produce other such as video and photography.
Recent work

2004

2007

Title of piece of work: All that we could have (dad)

Media: Charcoal and pastels on board (Found object).

Date produced: 2005-2007

Dimensions: 20 in x 26 in

Provence: This drawing was originally part of a larger work, entitled “all we could have.” As with much of my work, this drawing shows an everyday person in their every day events. This piece has a personal importance to me as it is a portrait of my own father recovering from a server illness. It was first shown at the Staffordshire University Art and Design degree show in 2005. The drawing has been recently reworked and donated to Transvoyeur Charity Auction for Emergency Department of Royal Liverpool University Hospital (England).

All that we could have (Ray)

Media: Charcoal and pastels on board and suitcase (Found object)

Date produced: 2005-2007

Dimensions: 3.5 ft x 4 ft (approx)

Provence: This drawing was originally part of a larger work, entitled “all we could have”. This drawing was inspired by the kitchen skin dramas of the nineteen fifty’s such as “Saturday night Sunday morning” and “a touch of honey”. The combination of object and drawing was used to give a more physical link to the event depicted. It was first shown at the Staffordshire University Art and Design degree show in 2005. (A second version of this work was produce and sold in Australia with out the suit case under the title of No road Home: Another Saturday night another Sunday morning)The drawing has been recently reworked and donated to Transvoyeur Charity Auction for Emergency Department of Royal Liverpool University Hospital (England)

2004

2007

Title of piece of work: somebody could have said it better No1

Media: Charcoal and pastel on paper

Date produced: 2004 -2007

Dimensions: 52 in x 71 in

Provence: This drawing is the first in a series of works, entitled “somebody else could have said it better” while studying at Staffordshire University. It was inspired by the kitchen skin dramas of the nineteen fifty’s and the work of John Bratby. It was first shown in the conjunction LA04 exhibition in 2004. (The drawing has also been reproduced as part of Ideal HOME, directly on to the wall of 50 Aylesbury Rd in Bentilee, Stoke-on-Trent.) The drawing has been recently reworked and donated to Transvoyeur Charity Auction for Emergency Department of Royal Liverpool University Hospital (England).

Title of piece of work: Id-entirety no 3

Media: Charcoal on paper

Date produced: 2003

Dimensions: 51 in x 64 in
This drawing is the third in a series of works, entitled “Id-entirety” while studying at Staffordshire University. The work was produced as attempt to explore ideas of identity and communication (and was inspired by an argument with a follow student after being unable to get my point of view across.) The work shows striped figures down to the underwear reviling their innermost feelings. These drawings attempt confront the viewer with the uncomfortable idea of seeing someone you don’t know striped bare and their feeling placed on display for all to see. The drawing was first displayed as part of the Identity, sex and death exhibition in 2004 at Cadman Studios Elective Gallery, Staffordshire University. The drawing has been recently donated to Transvoyeur Charity Auction for Emergency Department of Royal Liverpool University Hospital (England)

Title of piece of work: Id-entirety no 4

Media: Charcoal on paper

Date produced: 2004

Dimensions: 51 in x 64 in
Provence: This drawing was the forth in a series of works, entitled “Id-entirety” while studying at Staffordshire University. The drawing was first displayed as part of the Identity, sex and death exhibition in 2004 at Cadman Studios Elective Gallery, Staffordshire University. The drawing has been recently donated to Transvoyeur Charity Auction for Emergency Department of Royal Liverpool University Hospital (England)

Photos by Tony Knox

Hi

2007-04-07T07:32:00.000-07:00

Hi, my name Patrick O'Rourke. I am hoping to use this blog to document and showcase my art work as it develops. Below is an introduction to my self and my work. I hope you enjoy .
Bio
: Fine artist/ international artist
Born: 5th august 1983
Home town:liverpool
Over the last four years my practice has focused on depicting the every day. My art work is center around the everyday person in their every day events; moments from life that are familiar to all. I studied at Staffordshire University obtaining a B.A (hons) in Fine Art. While at University, my work was exhibited in the local area a number of times as part of the conjunction group. I produced workshops for the Imperial War Museum North and the ideal HOME exhibition (Bentilee, Stoke-on-Trent.) At the end my time at university I was offered the opportunity to work as Artist in Residence for the oldest all boys' schools in Australia. I spent my year in Australia researching and developing my art work while assisting in team teaching 7yr-12yr HSC arts and photography. My work was shown a number of times overseas, culminating in a successful first solo show.
Since retuning to the U.K I have begun to build a new portfolio of work for exhibition and have been invited to dentate a number of drawings to the Transvoyeur Charity Auction for Emergency Department of Royal Liverpool University Hospital (England). Over the last few mouths I have begun launching my work online and continued to deal with the sell of my overseas.

Artist statement

In writing a statement I have to consider what I do and why I do it. (This is not one of the easiest things to do.)
As a person I always found an inclination towards Art, in its production and all aspects connected with art practice. As a child I found most enjoyment in the drawing anything from space ships to towering knights. As I moved upwards through the education system I experimented with other media but never lost my love to sit and sketch. As I grew older the space ships fell away and my work moved towards fine art and the subject matter changed from the pictorial to the expressive.
The world I strive to show is one of urban life, giving the viewer a sense of familiarity and in a setting close to home. I have tried to deal with subjects that may be relevant to the viewers own life. Using socially recognizable settings and observational skills to communicate a narrative of some shared experience the viewer connects with. My work has moved at times from the studio and onto the sittings that are reflected with in my drawings. By drawing onto walls of abandoned houses I want to show what was (or perhaps could have been) left behind, the trace of lives. These drawings confront the viewer with an uncomfortable world of grim, everyday life in the very rooms and spaces that inspired it. Most of all I have never lost my love of the world around me and the need to show it.
Future objectives and current work:
Since returning home I have begun to prepare a new body of work for exhibition. I hope to explore issues work further in the setting of my home town and fulfill my standing ambition of showing my work in Liverpool. I hope to return to Australia at some point and produce a second solo show combining work from the U.K and Australia.