Ali O, RCA 2019, lives and works in London.
b. Alison O’Reilly, 1982, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
Instagram: @studioalio
Ali O’s practice draws eclectically on the history of art – in particular painting – alongside pop culture and digital imagery. Ali O blurs the mundane, everyday and kitsch with the formality and ‘rules’ of composition, aesthetics, beauty and gesture. Her work explores the value we place on our aesthetic world and surroundings, how we change what is important and significant, and what is ‘throwaway’, worn, outdated, or no longer fit for purpose.
Her background in design has greatly informed her artistic practice. With extensive knowledge of 3D design, material selection, and aesthetic harmony, she creates pieces that interact with and enhance different environments. Furthermore, her background in design has given her a deep understanding of various technologies, as well as, the ability to effectively communicate ideas through visual mediums.
Ali O's work is rooted in research. In 2019, she was awarded an MA and MSc in Global Innovation Design from the Royal College of Art (RCA) and Imperial College London, respectively. During this time, she was also a joint recipient of the Grantham Institute and the RCA Grantham Art Prize for an interactive digital light installation (2018).
Most recently, Ali O's work has been shortlisted for the 2023 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.
Education
MA & MSc Global Innovation Design, Royal College of Art & Imperial College London, UK. 2020-2021
Advanced Diploma in Interior Design, Algonquin College, Ottawa, ON. 2003-2006
Selected Group Exhibitions
2023 Group Exhibition, Out of Mind, The City Lit Gallery, London, UK.
2023 Group Exhibition, Artists & Makers Exhibition, Butchers Hair Salon Camden, London, UK.
2023 Group Exhibition, Nine, The City Lit Gallery, London, UK.
2022 Group Exhibition, There, Yet, Downstairs at The Department Store, London, UK.
2019 Group Exhibition, Greener Futures Zone, Imperial Collage, London, UK.
2019 Group Exhibition, Grantham Art Prize 2018, Imperial Collage, London, UK.
Awards
Longlisted for the Visual Art Open 2023 UK & International Emerging Artist Awards, UK. – 2023
Longlisted for The Women in Art: Emerging Woman Painting and Photography Prize (painting category), UK. – 2023
Shortlisted for RA Summer Exhibition, UK. – 2023
Shortlisted for The King Edward VII’s Hospital Open Call, UK. – 2023
Grantham Institute and the RCA Grantham Art Prize (in collaboration with Fernanda Dobal, MA RCA, 2019), UK. – 2018
Other
Volunteer Workshop Facilitator for Women’s Space, Humankind, UK. – current (ongoing)
NEWH Postcard Art Auction, UK. – 2023
Guest Tutor Guest Tutor, University of Greenwich– 2020, 2023