Statemnet

In my art, I explore the dualities of life—the simplicity of basics and their inherent complexity. Just as existence can be simultaneously simple and complex, I draw inspiration directly from life itself. I aim to represent the contrast between controlled and uncontrolled efforts, expressing intention and spontaneity through the use of Chinese Ink and various additional materials, exploring a multitude of ways to repeat lines or works.

My artistic goal is to achieve pure honesty and simplicity in expression, imbuing my work with profound meaning. It's not about influence, truth, or the world, but about the essence of simple existence—the basics, the banalities, and life itself.

I consider myself a researcher of both lines and life, creating a space that encourages reflection without overwhelming you with emotions. I aim to delve into personal relationships with black-and-white lines, exploring how far I can push their limits, how many I can create, and how life's experiences might influence something as seemingly straightforward as lines and ink. Incorporating various other mediums, I create textures, contrasts, and comparisons, aiming to attract rather than repel with subtle elements that demand attention.

Simultaneously, I view my art as a ritual—a meditative, grounding practice that I continually return to for the sake of my happiness and stability. With a decade of this exploration, I've witnessed the evolution of lines, influenced by Buddhism, nature, rituals, processes, dualities, emotions, documentation, and more. Having lived in Ukraine, Beijing, and Vienna before settling in Paris, my experiences with change and the challenges of wars and pandemics have brought new dimensions to my exploration of dualities and my relationship with them.

About

Alena Olasyuk is a Ukrainian artist who resided in Beijing for 12 years before spending time in Vienna and eventually settling in Paris. She obtained her degree in Art and Journalism from the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, where she held her debut solo exhibition "Three Steps" in 2014, with the event organized by Stage One Event Company. Over the course of her career, she has participated in various solo and group exhibitions across China, Taiwan, and Ukraine. Notably, she was featured in the Curitiba Biennale exhibition in Brazil, which spotlighted Chinese contemporary art in 2017. Additionally, she has collaborated with renowned brands such as Peugeot, WHAT FOR, Laundry by Shelli Segal, and more.

Solo exhibitions: 

2021: “Chiseling the Light with Ink” Taipei, Taiwan

2020: “In Between” Galerie Grand Siecle, Taipei, Taiwan

2016: " Межа/грань/border" Khmelnitsky Region Art Museum. Ukraine

2016: «Ink Mark» JuEr space. Beijing, China

2015: "Complex Simplicity" auto studio. Beijing, China

2015: “The Calling” at DARA gallery. Beijing, China 

2014: "Monochrome World" Kogo art gallery, Hangzhou, China

2014: "Three Steps" BIFT park, Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology. Beijing, China 

Two/Three-Person Exhibition:

2018: “Inversion” Clerkenwell Space, Beijing, China

2018: “Ritual” Sky Moca Gallery. Beijing

2016: "Sinergia" Sky Art Foundation, Kyiv. Ukraine.

Selected group exhibitions: 

2021: “Linear” JH Gallery. Shanghai, China.

2021: “Unknown Reality” Baolong Art Center, organized by Shanghai Jiaotong University and ICCI Art Valley, Shanghai, China

2021: “Linear” Longkong Art Museum. Beijing, China.

2020: “Return to the forest” Dongyan Mountain Forest Recreational Area. Taoyuan City, Taiwan.

2019: “Without Ink” Art Tianjin Contemporary Ink Exhibition, Tianjin

2019: “A Piece of cotton paper” JiuCeng Art Museum, Beijing

2019: “Reconstruction” Aotu space, Beijing

2019: “Grey silence” Tong Gallery, Beijing

2018: “Investigation” Klerkenwell Space, Beijing

2018: “Ritual” Skymoka Gallery, Beijing

2018: “Spring Luster” Skymoka Gallery, Beijing 

2017: Curitiba Biennale ’17 «Vibration» Chinese contemporary art exhibition. Curitiba, Brazil 

2017: "Non-objective image" OCT space of Manufacturing Cultural. Shenzhen

2017: "Investigation" Cheng Gallery. Beijing

2016: "Art Actually" 11Gallery. Beijing

2016: “The Six Jinan International Photography Exhibition” Jinan

2016: Group exhibition «Fire Wall» No Gate Gallery. Beijing

2016: «A Great Event is in the Making. But No One Has Noticed» at Intelligentsia gallery. Beijing 

2015: Group exhibition of Ukrainian and Kyrgyzstan artists, at Sharpen Studio. Beijing

2015: «The Collisions inside the Secret Garden at the Museum of Innocence» Workjam coworking space. Beijing

2014: "Semiotic preoccupations: objects, signs and symbols" Intelligentsia gallery. Beijing

In collection:

Shanghai Jiaotong University 

Sky Art Foundation (Kyiv, Ukraine)

11Gallery (Beijing, China)

Cheng Center for Contemporary Art (Beijing, China) 

Works held in private collections around China, Taiwan, Ukraine, France, the UK, Italy, the USA, etc.

Art Fairs: 

2020: Any Future - Emerging Artists Fair in Taipei 

2020: Art Kaoshiung, Taipei

Residency/ Programs:

2022: Residency at Planta Alta and CRA Matadero (Madrid) with the support of Artists at Risk and TEJA. Cultural Spaces Network in Support of Emergency Situations, August-September

2021: Visiting Artist at ART VALLEY PROGRAM, The USC-SJTU Institute of Cultural and Creative Industry(ICCI), ( a joint institute between the University of Southern California (USC) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) )