CJ O'Neill  

Inspired by memories and everyday ceramics, I create a visual language of silhouettes. Re-interpreting existing objects, adding a new layer of pattern over the old, I hope to embed a new story, to provoke conversation and inspire new ways of seeing objects. I use industrial production processes, but align myself more closely to the individual craftsman and am interested in the balance between the handmade and the industrially produced.

By punching old, manufactured everyday objects with a 'newness' which refers to current mass production, new technologies and materials, but in a more unique or 'one off' fashion, the objects are placed in the spotlight, their value brought into question. How has the value of these pieces changed with this new narrative?



CJ is MA route leader for Contemporary Craft Practice, part of MA Design working on live projects to assist students in developing professional craft practices. She is also a member of the Craft Research Group at the School of Art. 

Cj is also a PhD student at MIRIAD, with a thesis working title "Re*presenting Heirlooms: artistic interventions exploring the value of everyday ceramic items"

She is a selected member of Design Initiative, Crafts Council of Ireland and the Crafts Council of England selected Photostore. 



Selected projects include;

'Transformations & Metamorphosis', Galerie Handwerk, Munich, Germany, 2011

'The Pol Project', part of the Asia Triennial Manchester, Manchester Craft & Design Centre, UK, 2011

'The Plate Experiment', British Ceramics Biennial, Stoke-On-Trent, UK, 2011

'Collaborations, Creativity and Value' paper with Amanda Ravetz, Pairings conference, UK, 2011

'Picnic' collaboration with Alice Kettle, part of the Pairings Project, UK, 2010

‘The Pol Project’, with Amanda Ravetz, Ahmedebad, India, 2010, www.thepolproject.blogspot.com
'Embracing Technology', Crafts Council of Ireland Galleries, Kilkenny, Ireland, 2010

'Walls are Talking', with the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester and Accrington Academy, UK, 2010

'Sterling Irish', Kilkenny Arts Festival, Ireland, 2009

'Non-Object-Ive', Exhibition curated by Marek Cecula, Poland, 2009

'graffiti*d' - a project commissioned by the British Ceramics Biennial to create public artworks with ceramics, Burslem, Stoke-On-Trent, UK, 2009

Award III, invited artist in residence, Guldagergaard, Denmark, 2008

‘Wesley Meets Art’, a community project with fund raising auction and exhibition, with Wesley Community Furniture Project, Lee Garland, Special Collections Gallery and Urbis, Manchester, UK, 2008
'Design Camp', Ahmedebad, India, 2007

ELLE Decoration Lighting Design Award, shortlisted, 2006

100% Design Foundation bursary, 2003

Roses Design Awards - Business Development Award, 2003

Next Move residency, Crafts Council, Arts Council & MMU, 2001-3

BA(Hons) Three Dimensional Design, MMU, 2000