Michael O'Neill

While travelling for work in Egypt years ago, I acquired small statuettes of Horus and Thoth. At the time they were simply objects that held my attention, but they have since become central to my painting practice. Symbols of two parallel aspects of my life: Horus, the provider and protector, reflecting the career that supported my family for decades; and Thoth, the scribe and keeper of knowledge, representing the artist I had yet to become.

Although creativity had long been an important part of my life, my painting practice began in earnest recently where I have developed a body of large-scale still life paintings with expressive brushwork, vivid colour and symbolic imagery.

I paint Horus, Thoth and other symbolic forms within lush, foliage-rich environments. Rooted in the traditions of still life painting, these works use colour and symbolism to explore identity, transformation and the relationship between past and present.

Before painting, I spent more than thirty years helping organisations understand and adopt new technologies. Coming to art later in life has given me a perspective shaped by experience, curiosity and change. These paintings reflect both accumulated knowledge and a belief that creativity can emerge, deepen and flourish at any stage of life.