Natalie O'Connor

The Nature of Redness- Gol Gol Layer Colour Observation #10

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Installation including watercolour and handmade paper. variable dimensions. 2024

The Gol Gol Layer Colour Observation (GGLCO) #10 explores artists' red pigments, specifically responding to the ancient red Gol Gol layer found at the World Heritage Area of Mungo. This installation features six red pigments organised into Warm Advancing Reds, Cool Receding Reds, and Earth Reds. Observing their behaviour over time in a wet state provides an insight into how each pigment interacts with handmade paper and resubmerged in each red colourant. The final artworks capture the pigments' behaviours, showing changes from their dry to wet states, and serve as a record of the pigments' characteristics over time.

Natalie O'Connor, an artist, researcher, and educator with a background in international colour manufacturing, holds a Bachelor of Education and Master's degree. Recently awarded a PhD from UNSW for her thesis, "The Nature of Redness," her work focuses on the permanency and fragility of colour, particularly red pigments. Her ongoing artwork, "The Gol Gol Layer Colour Observations," explores the qualities of red artist's pigments in response to the landscape of Mungo, Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area.