Audrey O’Brien (she/her) is a socially engaged artist who works across photography, collage and sculpture. She was born in Ireland and is based in Glasgow. Audrey is a creative Toolmaker. Her sensory tools provoke ways to link, explore and understand all living beings. These produce interactive artworks connecting people and objects and spaces. Much of Audrey’s work is in partnership and collaboration which excites and sustains new discoveries.

Early influences on Audrey’s community-based work emerged from her background of employment in social care, and through obtaining an MPhil in Art and Design in Organisational Context (2003) at the Glasgow School of Art. Since then, Audrey has developed her practice through peer learning, including through Engage Scotland and the School of Civic Imagination and Scottish Artist Union Learning programme. 

Audrey’s practice is influenced by the Dada art movement.

Audrey: “I am neurodivergent. This means I think differently and respond to information in a creative way.”

I have worked with (most recent first): Govanhill Baths Community Trust, Fablevision, Royal Alexandra Hospital Paisley, BCDC, Toonspeak, MILK, North East Integration Network, Sonic Bothy, Seven Lochs Wetland Park, Forestry and Land Scotland, Platform, Room 13 International, CCA, Newhills School, Campsie View School, North Lands Creative, Montrose Centre NHS, An Cala, Computing Science-University of Glasgow, PAMIS, Impact Arts, Sense Scotland, Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum.

Image description

Top image: portrait of Audrey smiling with grey-green hair. She is sitting with crossed legs on a leafy ground holding a young tree.

Photography credit: Karen Gordon