Over the last 10 years I have been fortunate to have come to know first-hand so many inspiring artists.  My curiosity often drives me to look for artists who have a differentiated practice from everyone else. Which brings me to John O’Connor.

This Saturday, we open a new exhibition of John’s artwork at our Englewood, NJ school which was part of a traveling show that recently closed at our school in Hartsdale, NY. John is a master at creating optically rich drawings that are built on idiosyncratic logic.  What I love about the work is that it forces me to think: what is John trying to do and how was the drawing made—separately from taking in the overall visual beauty.  Most often the work just looks like a really cool abstract object but after further investigation, I am dumbfounded by the madness and creativity that is woven in the mark-making.

I personally own and live with John’s work and he is at the cornerstone of what inspires me.  In addition to being a great artist John is also the Head of the Visual Art department at Sarah Lawrence College and has committed his life to teaching young artists.  Please check out John’s work on his website or his gallery in New York.

And if you have a chance, stop into our school and check out the work in person.  We are so grateful to be working with John.