Olga Mun
Degree: Fine art
University: The University of Salford
Graduation Year: 2022
New Blood Art Commentary
You may see the figure of a person posed in the midst of shape, colour, and motion. You may see a face emerging from the conglomerate of forms, or you may see multiple figures whirling through the painting, side by side. These brightly coloured phantasmagoria by Olga Mun are illustrative and fable-like. The naïve tracing effect of her outlines is in fact part of a sophisticated handling of line, used to create these expressive medleys.
Like American artist Romare Bearden, who looked to epic literature for inspiration, Mun has a musical approach to tone. The artist uses watercolours that are at once vivid and slightly translucent; the colours she selects are part of a tightly wound coalition, varying from piece to piece.
Mun’s paintings have the same feeling of spontaneity as the paragon of German Expressionism, Franz Marc, who stated that: “I try to intensify my sensitivity for the organic rhythm of all things; I seek panthesitc empathy with the vibration and flow of nature.” In Mun’s body of work, the forces of history and of nature are brought into fantastic array, in an aesthetic both lush and daring. Olga was selected for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2023.
Artist Statement
In my art, I aim to capture the essence of the human experience amidst various crises, delving into the intertwining narratives of technology, environment, and politics. By utilising oil painting as a medium of expression, I seek to provoke introspection and contemplation on these pressing issues that shape our contemporary reality.
The specific crises I explore are rooted in the complexities of our current world, focusing on the impact of rapid technological advancements, environmental degradation, and political turmoil. Through my work, I invite viewers to engage with these themes, prompting them to consider the interconnectedness of these issues and their effects on society.
My paintings serve as a form of storytelling, blending elements of utopias and dystopias to create a narrative that reflects the uncertainties of our time. By delving into the realms of the "technical sublime" and examining the rise of AI, I aim to provoke thought on the implications of these advancements and their implications for the future.
Ultimately, my art aims to articulate crises through the vibrant hues of chroma, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in a visual exploration of the complexities of our era. Through a focused inquiry into the intersections of technology, environment, and politics, I strive to shed light on the challenges we face and the potential for a more nuanced understanding of our shared reality.
Solo Exhibitions
(2023) Beyond the Realm of Reality, The Bowery, 54 Otley Road ,Leeds
Group Exhibitions
(2024) Manchester Open Exhibition, Home Theatre Manchester, 2 Tony Wilson Pl, Manchester M15 4FN
(2023) In Manchester, Saul Hay Gallery, Railway Cottege,Manchester M3 4LZ
(2023) Royal Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House,Piccadilly,London,W1J 0BD
(2022) Open Call Exhibition, Comme Ca Art & AWOL Studios, Hope Mill,113 Pollard St,Ancoats, Manchester
(2022) In Manchester, Cotton On Creative, 100 Barbirolli Square,Manchester
(2022) Reset The System, West Art Collective HQ, Antwerp Mansion,Manchester
(2022) Psyche, West Art Collective HQ, Antwerp Mansion,Manchester
(2022) Made It in 2022, Home, 2 Tony Wilson Pl, Manchester M15 4FN
(2022) The New Artist, Boomer Gallery, Tower Bridge London ,
(2021) Online exhibition, Salford art gallery and museum, Online
(2021) 01/Blue, Digital Exhibition X-Collab 01/Sensory, Online
(2021) 02/SENSORY, Not My Beautiful House - Kingston Upon Thames, London
(2021) New Mill Festival, New Mill Festival, Derbyshire
(2021) Hit The North, Salford School of Art, Digital Exhibition
(2019) FAB summer show, Manchester central library, Manchester
(2005) Group shows, Bandar Anzaly ,Iran, Iran
Competitions, Prizes & Awards
(2020) The Haworth Charitable Trust Life Class First Prize Award
(2021) 2021 The Haworth Charitable Trust Undergraduate Scholarship
(2023) The AXA Art Prize UK, Summer Exhibition 2023