Erik Olson Arts
writing about work
the fugitive and yet vast moment
the elusive present
the recognition of impermanence
Drawings begin within the geometric construction techniques developed through decades of architecture and motion picture art direction. Unlike those disciplines, forms do not need to make sense.
Paintings are a progression of drawings that feel interesting. Forms evolve as colors define them. Color and the inner narrative shift in response. Moment is expressed in process and ambiguous space enlivens the work.
Photographs record a response in that same present moment. They record presence in the immensity of ordinary daily life.
EDUCATION
UCLA Graduate School of Architecture, 1989
Master of Architecture
Graduation with Honors
UCLA College of Fine Arts Design
BA, Fine Arts Design
Summa Cum Laude
WORK
Decades of work as Motion Picture Art Director and Architect
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
SLOMA, Eye Deals, 2016, paintings and photographs
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
SLOMA, Phantom 17, 2019
Southeast Center for Photography, Natural Nude, 2018
SLOMA, Phantom 16, 2018
SLOMA, Phantom 15, 2018
SLOMA, Phantom 13, 2018
ART CENTER MORRO BAY, Brushstrokes, 2018
SLOMA, Phantom 12, 2018
SLOMA, Phantom 11, 2018, Juror
SLOUMC, Beacon Art Show, 2018
SLOMA, Phantom 9, 2018
SLOMA, Phantom 7, 2017
SLOMA, Phantom 5, 2017
SLOMA, Phantom 4, 2017
ART CENTER MORRO BAY, Social Justice, 2017
ART CENTER MORRO BAY, Pushing Boundaries: Exploring Abstraction, 2018
ART CENTER MORRO BAY, On and Off the Wall, 2017
SLOMA, Brushstrokes, 2017
SLOMA, New Visions, 2017
SLOMA, Up Close and Personal, 2016
CITY OF LOS ANGELES, Deep Roots, 2014
SLOMA, Highlights and Shadows, 2013
SLOMA, Photomorphosis ll, 2012
MOTION PICTURE ART DIRECTORS GALLERY 800, 2009-2018 (13 SHOWS)
CATAVINOS PASADENA, 1995, Benefit for the Armory Center for the Arts
LACMA, Art Sales and Rental Gallery, 1994
PUBLICATIONS
KCET ARTBOUND, Erik Olson: Playing with Light, February 8, 2016
JOURNAL PLUS, SLO Museum, Presents Erik Olson, January 2016
SANTA MARIA TIMES, ADOBE, Erik Olson, exhibit at Museum of Art, January 8, 2016
NEW TIMES, Erik Olson, The Space Between, January 21, 2016
THE TRIBUNE, San Luis Obispo, Erik Olson, Reflects on Light, January 31, 2016
ARTILLERY, Photograph of the Artist, Marnie Weber, July and August 2010
LA WEEKLY, Photograph of the Artist, Lori Tilkin, 1998
AWARDS
FINE ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS, Conceptual Nominee, 2019
BLACK & WHITE SPIDER AWARDS 2018, Honor of Distinction, 2 Honorable Mentions & 3 Nominations
SLOUMC, Beacon Art Show, Second Place, 2018
ART CENTER MORRO BAY, Pushing Boundaries, Second Place, 2018
BLACK & WHITE SPIDER AWARDS 2017, 2 Honorable Mentions and 1 Nomination
BLACK & WHITE SPIDER AWARDS 2016, Honorable Mention and & Nominations
BLACK & WHITE SPIDER AWARDS 2015, Honorable Mention and 3 Nominations