Paul Connor’s practice is rooted in landscape and the lineage of landscape painting. Working across painting and drawing, his work explores how places are perceived, remembered and reinterpreted, drawing on the traditions of plein air observation while bringing them into contemporary dialogue.

He was the founding director of the NSW Parliament Plein Air Painting Prize, an initiative that helped reposition en plein air painting at the forefront of contemporary Australian art. The prize emphasised direct engagement with place and supported a renewed critical and public interest in outdoor painting practices.

Connor’s interest in environment and conservation extends beyond his studio. He has served as a Trustee of The Australian Museum and of the Lizard Island Reef Research Station, reflecting a sustained commitment to ecological research and stewardship.