That Deep Rooted Sense You Don’t Want To Leave by British contemporary artist Danny O’Connor is one of five paintings inspired by the artist’s poem on freedom, with each work taking its title from an individual line. While the wider collection explores release and liberation, this painting introduces its counterpoint: the powerful human desire to remain connected to what gives us a sense of belonging.

At the centre, a woman closes her eyes and covers her ears with both hands, creating a striking image of withdrawal from the external world. The gesture suggests silence, introspection and turning inward, particularly resonant with a painting concerned with an internal, “deep-rooted” sense of attachment. Around her, white doves, sweeping lines and richly layered botanical imagery introduce movement against the stillness of the central figure. Doves are traditionally associated with peace, hope, love and freedom, connecting her inward state to the wider collection’s exploration of liberation.

Roses appear repeatedly throughout the composition, embedded across the woman's body, the doves and the surrounding surface. Traditionally associated with love, beauty and emotional attachment, they strengthen the painting's exploration of the relationships and memories that can make us reluctant to leave. Branches, leaves and floral forms further reinforce the title's idea of being “deep rooted”, connecting the human figure symbolically with the natural world.

O’Connor builds the work through acrylic, spray paint, correction fluid and paint marker, layering teal, green, pale blue, red and earthy tones beneath energetic white marks. The contrast between the woman's stillness and the movement surrounding her creates a tension between attachment and freedom, remaining and letting go.

That Deep Rooted Sense You Don’t Want To Leave is an original, one-of-one large-format mixed media painting on canvas, 122 × 152 cm, available through Eclectic Gallery, Fitzrovia, London. To enquire or arrange a private viewing, contact the gallery.

The Poem Behind the Paintings

This work is one of five paintings inspired by a poem written by Danny O’Connor, with each painting taking its title from an individual line:

Freedom’s the flower that grows from the tiniest seed

That deep-rooted sense you don’t want to leave

Unrestrained to think and feel

It’s the birds soaring high as they fly from the tree

Freedom’s within, just set your mind free.