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Rory breaks barriers through art
When Rory O’Chee walked across the graduation stage, he didn’t just receive his qualification – he celebrated years of determination, resilience and extraordinary artistic achievement.
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Delivered in partnership with the University of Canberra, the Bachelor of Creative Industries (Visual Arts) (ARB405) degree has supported Rory in developing his practice as a fine art landscape photographer while studying at TAFE Queensland in Brisbane.
As an artist with Down Syndrome, Rory’s journey through higher education has not always been easy.
“My experience was nothing short of a challenge; however, I was surrounded by helpful people – pushing me to be my best,” said Rory.
“Sometimes I think I enjoyed it a little too much because I grew a strong love for weekly study sessions and attending classes.”
At times, he completed one subject per semester. In one instance, he repeated a subject three times before passing.
“When I was struggling, I almost felt like giving up, but I never did because I wanted to see how far I could go and push myself. The support of my mentors and teachers allowed me to thrive.”
Alongside strong support from his teachers and additional tutoring, it was Rory’s persistence and commitment that carried him through. Every assignment, every exam and every artwork was his own.
Rory is no ordinary photography graduate – he’s also one of Australia’s most awarded fine art landscape photographers.
He has been selected as a finalist in more recognised fine art competitions than any other landscape photographer in the country.
Unlike many photography entrants, Rory’s works are produced at museum scale and printed on fine art rag or silk, competing alongside paintings and sculpture in major gallery exhibitions.
He deliberately produces large-format works to create an immersive experience that, in his words, allows viewers to “feel like they are walking into the landscape.”
Printing photography at this scale presents significant technical and artistic challenges.
Production can be complex – from printing onto archival materials measuring more than one metre across to framing large works behind glass. Artistically, large-scale printing leaves nowhere to hide.
On small screens, minor imperfections often go unnoticed. But at museum scale, even the slightest movement – a gust of wind shifting a flower at the edge of a frame – can become visible.
The larger the print, the more scrutiny it invites, limiting the number of images that can truly withstand enlargement.
His striking silk work, Betoota Storm, measuring 2.3 by 1.2 metres, is one example of the ambitious scale of his practice.
Rory is represented by Aspire Gallery, where he continues to exhibit his work. His recent piece, Billabong After the Rain, photographed at South Galway Station in South-West Queensland, was printed on archival art rag and finished with 16 layers of varnish, allowing it to be framed without glass.
In place of traditional artist statements, Rory writes poetry. His work, Carving the Afternoon Light, is accompanied by the lines:
Mountains carve the landscape.
Now they carve the shadows
Over the dark, oh so stark,
ranges. Forever
so tall and forbidding,
carved by a force of nature.
Rory’s creative pathway began with a Certificate III in Design Fundamentals (CUV30311), which he completed while still at school, followed by an Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts (CUA60715).
From there, he progressed into his bachelor’s degree – building skills, confidence and artistic depth along the way.
The Bachelor of Creative Industries (Visual Arts) (ARB405) provides students with a broad and coherent range of specialist knowledge and practical skills in contemporary art practice.
Delivered in partnership with the University of Canberra, the program offers a supportive studio environment where emerging artists can shape their careers.
Graduation is more than a personal milestone for Rory. It reflects what is possible when inclusive education, industry expertise and determination come together.
Now that his degree is complete, Rory is returning full-time to exhibiting, with a new show planned in celebration of his graduation.
His story is a powerful reminder that talent, resilience and creativity know no limits – and that with the right support, real achievement is possible for everyone.
