Marty Olson Artist Profile
Meet Marty Olson!
The work of artist Marty Olson is a vibrant exploration of multicultural artistic styles. Olson’s art reflects his ever-expanding inspiration that draws from different regions, periods, and experiences. Olson was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but grew up and still resides in Lawrence. He has participated in, and advocated for, the local art scene for decades.
Olson often revisits the southwest to absorb the imagery, color, and general inspiration the region has to offer. Southwestern culture is central in many of his works, resulting in art that is charged with rich history, emotion, and inspired vision.
“Travel is a major inspiration to me,” Olson said. “I love to go to the southwest because of the Native culture and Latin American aesthetic woven into the lifestyle there. Rich color and powerful imagery/design just bloom everywhere you look.”
But in his series, Appropriated, Olson included a larger breadth of cultures. The paintings, which are primarily featured on wood canvas’, are drawn from various design motifs, such as the fine embroidery from the Baroque period, weaving from Native American tribes, appliqué from Central America, and more.
“Appropriated is a series about inclusion and universal vision,” Olson said. “I am also addressing the cultural appropriation controversy by calling myself out for incorporating these images, and not claiming them as my own or exploiting them.”
Olson’s currently hanging collections, Appropriated and Succulence Series, were subject to a different process than ever before; they were both created during the COVID-19 pandemic. For Olson, the pandemic allowed him to delve into themes and potential he hadn’t explored before, all while avoiding the bleak news reports that filtered in each day.
Olson values hard work and the exhaustive exploration of all visual expressions. His personal favorite artists all share one trait: they have qualities that make him curious. Those artists include David Hockney, Cima Katz, Julie Green, Lisa Grossman, Frida Kahlo, and more.
- Ashley Zellers
Marty Olson - Reveal
Marty Olson - Tucson Dreaming
Marty Olson - Sonoran by Nature