John O'Connor   Schemes Out 15 november - 23 december, 2002 opening, friday 15 november, 7-9pm       false memory 1, 2001 graphite, pastel on paper, 30 x 22 inches sold           earthquakes and wars, 2002 graphite, colored pencil, gesso on paper 82.5 x 53 inches sold               ebbinghaus map, 2002 graphite, colored pencil on paper approx. 73 x 53 inches sold             scratch, 2002 graphite, colored pencil on paper 75 x 53 inches sold             head itch, 2002 graphite, colored pencil on paper approx. 53 x 53 inches sold           head itch (detail)               obese genes, 2001 mixed media on paper 21" x 30" sold         press release Pierogi is pleased to present the first one-person exhibition of John J. O'Connor. O'Connor's recent work is the result of his immersion in processes, systems and subjects, both real and invented. He combines seemingly unrelated and often idiosyncratic systems into more intricate and nuanced manifestations; the result, quirky and complex drawings on paper rendered primarily in colored pencil and graphite. Ultimately, his use of such isomorphisms can convey the complexity and interconnectedness of every day life, as well as the hierarchical processing of chance experiences. O'Connor cites antecedents as diverse as John Cage, Rube Goldberg and Alfred Jensen for his work. The subject matter of the drawings in this exhibition includes: memory loss patterns, meteorology and temperature prediction, chaos theory, random Rubik's Cube pattern mapping, the origin and progression of Alzheimer's disease, hair loss patterns, studies of obesity and genetics, and itch theories. O'Connor often uses himself as a subject, testing his memory, mapping where and when he has an itch, charting his mood fluctuations relative to environmental temperature change, etc. To achieve the ends of the drawing he alters and combines numerous modes of information exchange. According to O'Connor— My drawings, then, are the graphic representations of these layered systems. I usually begin with a simple idea, which then evolves with greater complexity. All the diagrammatic notations remain on the image combined with the fully realized abstract form. Equally important is my attempt to ultimately create an autonomous aesthetic image.
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	P   I   E   R   O   G   I 177 north 9th street brooklyn, ny 11211 718.599.2144 noon to 6p thursday through monday and by appointment pierogi is an innovative art gallery in williamsburg, brooklyn, new york