Kiwi Artist Displayed At Saatchi Gallery, London

Press Release 21.05.09

Kiwi Artist Displayed At Saatchi Gallery, London

The painting "La Sundari" by Nelson-born artist, Charles Olsen, has gone on display in the Saatchi Gallery, London.  Winner of the second prize in the first Saatchi Showdown online competition in 2007, the painting can currently be seen in the new gallery space above the Mess Café in the Saatchi Gallery. 

Charles Olsen has been based in Madrid, Spain since 2003, where he paints and has been studying flamenco guitar.  The inspiration for his recent paintings comes from his experiences in this vibrant city.  The neighbourhood he lives in is one of the most multi-cultural in Europe with Chinese, Senegalese, Indian, Spanish, Bangladeshi, and Moroccan shops and restaurants all on the doorstep.  The portrait "La Sundari" hanging in the Saatchi Gallery is of his friend, Miryam Chachmany, a flamenco dancer from Holland who was studying in the flamenco academy, Amor de Dios. 

"We'd spent many hours rehearsing in the academy and Miryam has an incredible force in her expression when she dances.  The window-shutters I found in the street one night and thought they'd make a great surface to paint on.  They are a part of the history of Madrid, keeping out the winter cold, and the portrait also draws on the history of flamenco that continues growing while keeping true to its roots. "  

Alongside painting Charles has created networks of artists in Spain and New Zealand. The New Zealand site includes over 60 artists and can be seen here: www.myspace.com/newzealandartists

www.charlesolsen.es
www.myspace.com/charles_olsen
Saatchi Gallery: www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/gallerymess/

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