Biography

Born in Norfolk 1987, Olly grew up on the family farm on the North Norfolk coast. Since Finishing A levels at Greshams School and aquiring an interest in oil painting Olly took a year out before pursueing his ambitions and getting accepted onto a Foundation Art course at Univeristy College Falmouth Since finishing the foundation course he stayed in Falmouth and was accepted on a Fine Art Degree for the next three years.

In 2010, he was accepted onto a University Exchange Program at Emily Carr Univeristy in Vancouver, Canada for 5 months where he spent most of his second year of the course. Having recently finished his B.A Honours Degree in June Olly is preparing for his final year shows and Post Script exhibition in Bristol starting July 14th with the intention of a later exhibition in London in October.

 STAETEMENT: B.A HONOURS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE FALMOUTH

Moment refers to a particular point in time. In my work I choose a moment to focus on that is important to me, that has inspired and captivated me. I capture the moment when bodies are pushed to their limits, so evoking the emotions of excitement and danger and I translate these emotions onto canvas.

These moments are rare, so I have taken my inspiration from extreme sport where there is always the element of danger, evoking the emotions of excitement and fear and an overriding fascination.

Capturing and sharing these events with the viewer involves reliving the moment. With technologies such as photography and film, we are able to see events as they happen; yet painting allows me to fill the canvas with my own interpretation of the moment using the influence of other artists. The paintings capture moments reflecting challenges being performed by the figures using various backdrops.

Nowadays there are many mediums such as photography and film to evoke emotions, but I am inspired by the old fashioned posters that advertised films, showing the heroine in the moment of danger so that the viewer is left wanting to know more. I see my canvases as billboards advertising empowerment, fear and joy on the contrasting white walls of the gallery.

Reliving of the moment is made more difficult by the impossibility of capturing speed on a two dimensional surface. I overcome this challenge by contrasting abstract painting against reality. These two opposites create a feeling of movement with realistic, natural expressions of the human figure set against static urban industrial backdrops. Both Modernist and Post Modern influences are further contrasted by futurist lines of speed set against sources of modern technology.

These conflicts within my work help to convey the dramatic; changing reality, forcing the viewer to take sides and form a language. Having the ability to combine Modern and Post Modern influences in my work further underlines my own personal expressions, of enjoyment, empowerment and influence, attempting to constructively engage everyone in the moment and bring about a new way of seeing.