ARTIST STATEMENT
Annika Connor is a painter, SAG-AFTRA actor, and screenwriter whose creative endeavors are deeply intertwined. While she engages in multiple art forms, painting holds a special place as her primary passion. She finds that her experiences in acting and writing enrich her paintings, infusing them with narrative depth. Connor merges her love for storytelling with visual art in her paintings, creating scenes that feel like stills from larger narratives. She uses visual metaphors and allegorical elements to invite viewers into a world where societal issues are subtly explored. Occasionally she incorporates activism into her art, using it as a platform to advocate for social change.
The incredible women Annika Connor has met and the moments of friendship shared together continually lift her up and help her stretch her imagination and goals to new heights. Using traditional techniques with oils on linen, Connor’s paintings are intricate and rich, reflecting her meticulous process. Her work serves as a mirror to society, offering beauty and contemplation amidst the chaos of life. Through allegory and dream imagery, Connor’s art invites viewers to explore their imagination deeper and reflect on the world around them.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Annika Connor, a modern Renaissance Woman, is a Brooklyn-based artist who has lived in New York City for over twenty years. She received her BFA in 2002 from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she studied Painting & Performance. Since then, she has participated in numerous groups and solo exhibitions in the USA and internationally. Connor has received cultural grants from the American Scandinavian Society. She was the first Round Grant Recipient of the NY City Artist Corps Grant, and has been awarded grants to support her art from The Rauschenberg Foundation, Stephen King’s Haven Foundation, Tory Burch Foundation for female entrepreneurs, Motion Picture & Television Fund, Entertainment Community Fund, SAGAFTRA Foundation, and the Episcopal Actors Guild.
As a vocal activist and advocate for women’s rights, Annika Connor’s paintings often explore topics ranging from political allegory to depicting the sublime in nature. Connor’s paintings explore issues of female identity while creating artworks containing rich metaphorical imagery. In the studio, Annika Connor uses beauty and allegory as a hook to lure the viewer’s eye while depicting imagery that can be alternatively narrative or slightly mysterious. A member of SAG-AFTRA since 2007, Annika Connor is currently an elected member serving on the SAG-AFTRA New York Board. Connor is a Upright Citizens Brigade certified Improv Actor and is also a screenwriter. Annika seamlessly balances time in the studio with writing and life on set, finding that her three interests often overlap as one medium informs another.
© Annika Connor