The Space Between, O’Connell’s current body of work, transforms paintings into critical social commentary in an era of globalization and a growing new world order. His paintings examine the current trend of information gathering. In particular, elements of the recognisable barcode are metaphorically used to convey how one’s personal data may be collated to track one’s movements, patterns of spending and possibly in the not so distant future, indicate whom one may or may not vote for. The construct of the monochrome paintings reveal layer upon layer of under painting and palette knife work generating imagery that encompass multitudes of gestural marks, that at first glance render the work as abstract, yet on closer inspection, recognisable forms, shapes, and even text is unveiled. This method of drawing covers the surface of the canvas and serves to intentionally corrupt the imagery.