January 23 2003, Thursday, 10am-6pm

CONNECTICUT-BORN ARTIST, GRACE O'CONNOR'S EXHIBITION "NEW PAINTINGS" FEATURES NEVIS AND VIRGIN GORDA - ISLANDS WITHIN BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Today is one of the last days to see a dozen paintings, on show at the Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL) - that have all been done by the American artist, Grace O'Connor. This is her second solo show at the same venue. According to the artist, "These paintings represent my ROSL travel award to the Caribbean island of Nevis and Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. In May 2001, I visited these places over a period of eight days during which I discovered a unique and magical variety of island wildlife. Although this was a brief visit, it was a richly rewarding experience and with this collection of paintings I hope to convey the feeling of wonderment that it created for me. The other paintings I have chosen to exhibit explore my interest in the neighbourhoods and landscapes of my youth. They share with the Caribbean works a similar sense of solitude. I would like to invoke the perception that this is a moment that has been frozen in time.' We had a chance to interview the artist, late last year and were intrigued by her subject matter of birds, people and plants.