My artwork is inspired by my great-grandfather, Patrick O’Connor, whose story is part of both my family history and a wider cultural history. He was born on February 10th, 1906, in the District of Croydon, Sub-District of Mitcham, England. Later, he immigrated to Canada and served in World War II as a Sapper, M/41661, with the Royal Canadian Engineers. He received an honorable discharge on October 13th, 1945.
I chose to focus my work on him because his life represents themes of sacrifice, migration, and identity that are central to cultural diversity. His journey from England to Canada and his role in the war show how personal histories are shaped by global events and how individuals contribute to larger narratives of resilience and survival.
Through my artwork, I want to honour his service while also reflecting on the ways cultural identity is built from family stories. Each generation carries pieces of these histories forward, and art becomes a way of preserving and sharing them. By presenting his story visually, I hope to contribute to the show’s focus on cultural diversity and to highlight how personal heritage connects us to wider histories.