Lance Austin Olsen

Event Description

For over 60 years Victoria-based artist Lance Austin Olsen has been creating a captivating body of artwork that spans painting, printmaking, and even sound. At 83 years old, Olsen has barely slowed down, and will be presenting a collection of his recent visual works in a solo exhibition at Xchanges Gallery through September. This will be a rare occasion to view his large-scale paintings and drawings in person, and to meet an artist who has been inspiring so many others over the decades with his tireless inventiveness and experimentation.

Olsen began his studies at age 15 at London's Camberwell Art School, studying under British masters Frank Auerbach, Euan Uglow, and R.B. Kitaj. He moved from the UK to Western Canada in 1968, eventually settling in Victoria, BC.

Known for his dynamic, multi-panel artworks which fluidly move between figurative and abstract subjects, Olsen’s diverse output can be linked together by his interest in memory, and the indelible marks gathered by life experiences. Olsen’s paintings have also been adapted as visual scores by contemporary musicians, such as the prominent British ensemble Apartment House. Singer and musician David Sylvian selected Olsen’s paintings to adorn his recent large cd boxset, and Olsen still pursues his multi-decade creative partnership with artist Jamie Drouin.

We strongly encourage you to plan a visit to see this exhibition, and to spend some time immersed in the work of one of Canada’s master painters.

“Olsen is the most versatile artist I know, a master of improvisation. El es un monstro creative y salvaje.”
Luis Ituarte – Director & Curator of La Casa del Tunel Art Center, Tijuana, Mexico