The Lost Modernist highlights the work of British/Australian textile artist Michael O’Connell. Born inCumbriain 1898 O’Connell moved toAustraliain 1920. Over the following 17 years he became a critical member of the burgeoning Modernist movement inMelbourne.

O’Connell, a member of the Arts and Crafts Society ofMelbourne, made an enormous contribution to the development of Modernism inAustraliathrough his innovative and dynamic textiles. Furthermore on his return to theUKin 1937, O’Connell became a key figure in contemporary textile design, working with renowned textile and furnishings manufacturer Heal’s.

The exhibition has been co-curated by Professor Harriet Edquist, Director, RMIT Design Archives,RMITUniversityandTansy Curtin, Senior Curator,BendigoArtGallery. A book on the life and work of O’Connell by Edquist will be published concurrently.

Images -
Michael O’Connell, Textile (detail) c1933, block printed linen, National Gallery of Victoria, Purchased 1988.

Michael O’Connell, Pandemonium, frieze (detail) c1930, linocut on silk, National Gallery of Australia, Purchased 1982.