Teddy O'Connor

In Residence: November 8 - December 16, 2010Exhibition: Opens December 16; continues through January 7, 2011 Learning Lab: Colfax Community NetworkLeap into overdrive with Creative Resident Teddy O’Connor and the amazing superheroes from Colfax Community Network: Tajanae, Da'viyontre, Andrew, Ariana, Nadine, Edwin, Karla, Danielle, Isaac, Anhelica, Tatiana, Ashley, Olivia, Maria and Beto. During his six-week residency, O’Connor led a series of superhero workshops with Colfax Community Network. In the workshop, the students developed their own superheroes or villains by drawing and writing about their characters; building mixed-media space objects from found materials; and embellishing plaster-cast super-masks and jumpsuit outfits. The resulting team of uncanny, jumpsuited heroes and villains has transformed PlatteForum into an extra-dimensional “Outis” space, featuring the mind-bending detritus of their fantastic super-lives. O’Connor has contributed several new works to the show, including Pyramid, 2010, a seven-foot-tall orange pyramid made from computer parts, toys, recycled bottles, etc.; a series of illustrated studies for his upcoming comic book, Jumpsuits; original artwork from his current comic book, The Creep; and printed editions of his comic strip, The Adventures of Pyramid. In addition, O’Connor and Colfax Community Network have collaborated on three comic coloring books — CCN, Vol. 1; CCN, Vol. 2; and Jumpsuits, Episode Nought. These publications narrate the space, giving the viewer further insight into the exciting adventures of the artists’ super-characters. Editions of the CCN books will be available for purchase. Teddy O'Connor is inspired by the superheroes and comic books he loved growing up, and works both in illustration and mixed media to explore issues of identity, transformation, and the supernatural. Three dimensional objects transform depending on where the viewer is standing; comic strips of figures vomiting up other figures show the grotesque warping of faces and bodies; and digital animations reveal shapes and scenes over time. O'Connor's work often features himself, but he doesn't consider this self-portraiture. Rather he uses himself to create characters that the viewer can meet, get to know, and feel like they have something in common with. Perhaps they can use these characters as a means to experience their own stories, and to transform. O'Connor has a B.A. from Wesleyan University in Studio Art, and has exhibited throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. He is currently self-publishing several comics on his website, including The Creep and The Adventures of Pyramid. www.teddyoconnor.com