Olivia O’Connor

Carving

Olivia O'Connor, woodcarver and artist with sculpture art

THIS IS MY STORY

About

I specialise in handmade rocking horses and rocking horse restoration, I am living and working in South Gippsland, Victoria.

I grew up on a farm on Australia’s Mornington Peninsula. It was the perfect environment to develop a love for natural materials, such as wood and leather, and to appreciate the beauty of the countryside.

A love of working with timber led me to I study Furniture Design and Construction at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, for one year before being accepted into the competitive Prop Making course at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney. During this three-year specialised degree, I worked with wood, leather, foam-sculpting, model- and mould-making and puppet making.

WHAT I DO

My Work

Wood Carving

Sculpture

Prints / Engravings

Rocking Horses

KEEPING UP WITH O’CONNOR

News

I’ll be at the Heide Makers Market the 2nd Saturday of the month September – December!

www.heidemarket.com
With custom makes and restorations filling up my workshop, I’m enjoying being back in rocking horse mode…and I hope you’re looking forward to seeing more rocking horses! 🎠 ... See MoreSee Less
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2 weeks ago

Olivia O'Connor Carving
Hold onto your hot chips! 2 weeks until opening night at @solgalleryspace where I will fill the window gallery with seagulls. I do hope you can make it and we can share some seaside tales!It’s also the opening night at SOL for:Space 1 Front : Linda Ho / Melbourne Fringe Space 1/3 Side : Jen Rodger / Melbourne Fringe Space 2 : Anette Chang And Pimpisa Tinpalit / Melbourne Fringe. ... See MoreSee Less
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Thank you to @sarahmyers2122 for her article in this weeks @sentineltimes about my recent carving commission for @alia_vic @library_vic It’s been really touch how many people have reached out to me after the completion and presentation of this special carving, it’s been so unexpected and wonderful 🥰 🥰 ... See MoreSee Less
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Thrilled to be a finalist in the Toorak Sculpture Exhibition for a second year with one of my favourite pieces to date, Rising Tides. Pics are from installation day, to making of the work, through to opening night. Thanks to @toorakvillage , such a special exhibition along Toorak Rd (you’ll find my piece inside at the Medical Centre). And thanks to all of you for following along here and sending kind words about my work and supporting me. To the lady who saw me unloading the seagulls from my car and stopped to tell me she loved them - it all means so much…constantly amazed and humbled at the places I end up and the people I meet ❤️❤️❤️ ... See MoreSee Less
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What a joy and a privilege to carve this Leadbeater’s Possum and Common Pink Heath for the Victorian Library and Information Award for Presentation at the State Library of Victoria. Congratulations to Pru Mitchell, 2025 winner and the first to have their name on this perpetual trophy. @alia_vic @library_vic #trophy #possum #woodcarving ... See MoreSee Less
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LEARN THE CRAFT

Workshops

From 1 day classes where you’ll dip your toe into the world of woodcarving, through to 5 day workshops, making something decorative or learning technical skills. Join me in a workshop, let the creativity flow and the fun begin!