BIO

Gwen Haleola Olmos is a traditional artist who was born in 1998 in Honolulu, Hawaii. During her childhood, drawing had been a constant in her life. This led her to receive a BFA in Studio Art at the University of North Texas. She is inspired by historical and contemporary influences. Her consistent love and care for others has carried on into her art practice as she has a primary focus on figurative painting.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My interest in painting the figure involves the subtle nuances in what makes an individual whole. I put particular emphasis on the illusionistic quality of representational painting. It consistently fascinates me to ruminate on what makes someone themself—whether through something such as their hairstyle or the context in which they exist—and what this can mean when artist interpretation is involved. My paintings combine my own distinct perspective alongside reality which then develops into a separate realized form. I consider this new form to reference not only my perspective, but also previous works in an allegorical manner.

I am consistently inspired by the people in my own life, having found my eventual love for painting through others. Sharing the evidence of a sincere relationship between sitter and artist is what motivates my art practice. My paintings involve listening to others’ experiences, discussing, and pondering our collective places in the universe through a realist lens. From our unique features, to our surrounding world, I continue to search for the components of true human essence.