There are artists who chase ideas, and those who let the work lead. Christine Connor falls beautifully into the latter. A collage artist with a deep love for process, her work is slow, intuitive, and playful—but never without depth.
Her current show, American Idle, is a collection spanning fifteen years. Below, in her own words, she shares the personal journey behind the work:
“American Idle”
“I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t making collage, ever since I was a kid. I love the moment when you find a random image, or just a splash of color, that would look good with something else you had previously found and can’t stop thinking about. It’s always been like a game to me, finding all of these parts of something and rearranging them to give them new life. The search for one piece can take years.
About twenty years ago, I studied large format photography at Purchase College. I was addicted to life in the darkroom, it was my haven. The year I graduated, in 2003, the world had made the switch to digital and film was lost. I felt lost too. For me, it was always about the process and the magic was gone when staring at images on a computer screen. With collage, I got to bring the magic back into the process. It’s really just about being in the moment and having fun. I try not to think too much about where it will all end up, but rather surrender to my intuition as it starts to take shape. The process is slow, time consuming, and unpredictable. In the end, the images speak for themselves as they take on a world of their own. Hopefully, everyone will see something different. I see the marriage of comedy and tragedy in our everyday lives and I find that amusing.
This show is a collection of collages that were made at various times over the last fifteen years.”
Connor’s work invites you to pause, to lean in, and to see differently. These collages aren’t about finding answers—they’re about exploring possibilities. Woven with humor, emotion, and everyday fragments, each piece feels alive in its own way.
Her work will be on view at Le Shag from late April through June. Stay tuned for the exact date of our closing reception, where you’ll have the chance to meet the artist in person and celebrate the show.
Christine Connor – American Idle
🖇️ See more of her work on Instagram
