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A B O U T     

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Mac Connell is an expressionist whose bold, painterly narratives capture his personal experiences and observations of others.

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Connell’s paintings captivate the viewer with a sometimes overwhelming presence, insistent and original in their conception. His observations of significant life moments and emotion are narrated on canvas, recording experiences in perpetuity. It is these life encounters that inspires him to self-express what he can directly relate to through his own lens.

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Diverse themes reflect Connell’s broad personal experiences and his observations of life. Subject matter ranges from dark themes, such as car accidents, to passive nude figures in compositions presented from different views and angles. Diverse approaches culminate in a distinct and signature style.

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Connell’s work employs heavy impasto strokes over large canvas surfaces in a traditional oil medium. His use of colour is dramatic and intuitive and brave. His works demonstrate a willingness to experiment with essential elements of composition such as line and shape.  Paintings are built with many layers, with occasional overdrawing and gestural marks pulled from extensive drawing experience gained over decades. His works offer multiple readings – shapes and forms that suggest figure but somehow gain an autonomy as poetic shapes.The end result is a ”slow read” with shifting shapes and forms defying definitive interpretation.

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Connell studied painting at the Victorian College of the Arts in the 1970’s. His commitment to evolving as an artist has persisted, and has been underpinned by seventeen continuous years of figure drawing study ( 2003 – 2019) under Yvonne Audette. More recently, Connell established a studio in Geelong where he continues to express the complex narrative of life experiences.