Erik Olson creates paintings with a unique visual language. His works are recognized for their fragmented combination of figurative and abstract elements and bold application of vivid color. Olson’s paintings explore a variety of content, but the human figure and portraiture continue to be a central theme in his practice.

People that are familiar to the artist become the focus of deeply personal works. Influenced by expressive master painters Lucien Freud and Henri Matisse among others, Olson’s portraits capture both the unique physical characteristics and emotional qualities of his subjects.

Olson graduated with a BFA from Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver in 2007.  In 2014/2015, he attended the critically acclaimed art academy, Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, as a guest student of internationally renowned artist/professor Peter Doig. Olson has been the subject of solo exhibitions in major cities across Canada and internationally in Europe and the United States. He currently lives and works in Düsseldorf, Germany.

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