Art Blog #120
- Paul Connor
- Feb 6
- 4 min read
Updated: 17 hours ago
The Connor Contemporary Art Gallery's Q&A with Alexandra Gallagher
To bring you even closer to the creative minds behind the art, we’ve launched a brand-new Q&A series featuring conversations with our showcased artists. Through these candid sessions, we uncover their journeys as individuals and creators—exploring their unique processes and sources of inspiration.
Read on for their thoughtful responses to a series of curated questions. Our thanks go out to each artist for sharing their time and insights so openly with us.
Today, Alexandra Gallagher answers our questions, giving insights into her art inspirations and work ethic. Here is the interview; enjoy!
When Did You First Realise You Wanted to Become an Artist?
'It is a cliché answer, but I’ve always wanted to be an artist. For as long as I can remember, I have said I’m going to be an artist. There was a brief moment when I wanted to be a pop star at five and also considered musical theatre—but I can’t sing or dance! However, being an artist has always been a constant in my life.'
Is There a Piece of Art or an Artist That Changed Your Life?
Oh blimey, that’s really tough! Inspiration-wise, I’d have to say Jenny Saville. I was introduced to her work when I was at college. The way she uses the medium to create her pieces is remarkable, and I absolutely love the boldness of her work. I found that so inspiring!
Many people have influenced me as an artist. My tutor, Richard Cross, has been a guiding light. Victoria Horkan, an artist who bought a piece of my work early on, gave me invaluable advice—like an art godmother, as we jokingly call her. Then there’s Hayley Welsh, who introduced me to street art and helped me create my first piece. The art community is full of individuals who share, support, and collaborate. I learn something from everyone I meet, and I love that about it.
How Do You Choose Your Subjects?
The subjects within my artwork come from feelings. It’s all about the vibe I get from them. Whether it’s a found image, a reference photo, or a person I know, it’s all about intuition.
For the overall subject matter, it’s organic. I use surrealist collage techniques to create sketches, often working from my subconscious. A story forms as I work, or I might have a narrative in mind. I research symbolic references and stories from various cultures, faiths, history, and mythology to incorporate into my pieces. This often includes the symbology of birds, animals, colours, insects, flowers, and fauna.
What Advice Would You Give to Someone Who Wants to Pursue a Life in Art?
Go for it! But you have to be persistent and probably have a hint of insanity. You need a certain level of delusion and faith in yourself because you will face rejection. Not everyone will like your work, but art is subjective. You have to work hard, practice, and be patient. Passion is key; it’s part of who you are, and you must never stop learning.
Don’t believe there’s a right or wrong way to do things. When I started, I thought you had to follow a certain path to break into the art world—attending preview shows, making connections, and being in London. But that wasn’t available to me. I had two children to care for, so I took the initiative and started emailing galleries. I was lucky that some took a chance on me. Keep entering open calls and prizes, but most importantly, do what feels right for you. If you encounter a hurdle, find a way around it. And please, don’t be pretentious; nobody likes that.
Could You Describe Your Process and How Producing Art Makes You Feel?
As I mentioned, I use collage to create sketches. I used to sketch traditionally, but that didn’t keep up with my brain. I found collage accidentally when my youngest daughter kept painting over my work. I had to adapt, and it turned out to be a revelation. Collage kept up with my thoughts and prevented me from overworking pieces, making my work more visceral and organic.
Once I have a sketch, I use it as the base for an oil painting or develop it into a mixed media piece or collage. I love working with different mediums, depending on the project and my goals.
Creating art is like breathing for me. It’s who I am. I’m absolutely obsessed. I love looking at art, learning about it, and creating it. I need to create constantly; otherwise, I become difficult to live with. It’s my way of expressing myself and communicating. Honestly, I’ve experienced periods when I couldn’t create, and it led to depression.
Where Do You See Your Art in 10 Years?
'Still creating! I hope to do this until the day I die. I want to be the eccentric old lady with blue eyeshadow up to her eyebrows, still painting away. In ten years, I hope to celebrate a new body of work. I’ve spent the last decade developing my current style, which began with a series called "Birds with Birds." This year, I want to explore new directions. I aim to return to painting more and loosen things up. I’ve matured and learned so much. I want my new work to reflect that.'
What Question Would You Want to Be Asked in an Interview About Your Art?
'Honestly, I have no idea! The best questions I received were from a class I taught via Zoom for the University of Beirut in Lebanon. It was a feminist class, and they had been analysing my work. Their questions and insights were refreshing; it felt like they had peeked into my brain while I was creating. That experience will always stay with me. I felt privileged to be part of that discussion and wanted to join every class after that—it was so much fun!'
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