1. Josef O'Connor is the founder and artistic director of CIRCA.
12 Facts About Josef O'Connor
1. 2.
Josef O'Connor sold his first painting at the age of 13.
3.
Josef O'Connor was educated at Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School and Tiffin Boys School before dropping out at 18.
4.
In 2007, O'Connor launched the digital art platform "Pollocks" in an attempt to challenge the traditional gallery model, by providing a virtual space for young creatives to upload and share their work online.
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In 2008, starting with the re-appropriation of empty retail space on London's Carnaby Street, Josef O'Connor invited members of the public to contribute to the evolution of "Blank Canvas".
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Later in the year, Josef O'Connor exhibited alongside Marlene Dumas as part of the Free Art Fair at The Barbican Centre in London.
7.
The project launched with Josef O'Connor commissioning Creatmosphere to light up Brighton's iconic West Pier with 3D mapping and laser technology.
8.
In 2012, Josef O'Connor entered into the Gagosian Gallery's 'Spot Challenge'.
9.
In October 2020, expanding on themes of connectivity and possibility consistent within his practice, Josef O'Connor launched CIRCA, a platform dedicated to showcasing digital art in the public sphere on London's Piccadilly Lights screen.
10.
On 31 October 2020, a world record was set when Josef O'Connor arranged for Ai Weiwei's 70-minute film to be shown on the screen.
11.
In 2012, Josef O'Connor was selected as one of the Top 25 inspiring talents from London's 1000 most influential people list, in association with Burberry and the Evening Standard.
12.
In 2013, Josef O'Connor was publicly voted into The Guardians 100 most influential and innovative people working across arts, culture and the creative industries in the UK, alongside artists Jeremy Deller and Mike Nelson.