A New Kind of Pop
Cape Town, South Africa-based artist, Olivia Louise Black may be bubbly, enthusiastic, and all around obsessed with bright colors, but do not underestimate her joyfully fun pop-art portraits. Although just barely beginning her college art career, Olivia Black knows exactly what she wants. This young artist is here to make you smile, laugh, and feel free again. Olivia Black is presenting a new kind of pop art, one that lets go, that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and one that doesn’t care what you think as long as you’re having fun. It’s candy-coated, eye-catching, and most of all, incredibly heartfelt. Never underestimate a passion for pigment or the drive to bring brightness to a world that needs ALOT more of it!
Part 1: Who is Olivia Louise Black?
Question #1: Who are you?
“Hey, I’m Liv! I am a girl obsessed with aesthetic colour combinations! I love being creative in so many different ways (I have given myself multiple ear piercings and tattoos haha mom wasn’t happy about that one). The thing I love about art is that it’s a SHAPESHIFTER! It can be words strung together or brushstrokes placed side by side! It’s quite extraordinary actually…LIMITLESS! I’m young and I still have a lot to learn, explore & find in my true art voice!”
Question #2: Who are you as an artist?
“I love painting portraits of people with bold bright colours or delicious pastel hues! I love painting faces because they can be so expressive, so relatable and easy to identify with. As an artist my aim is to bring a bit of joy or “sparkle” when people see my art. I simply want them to feel light happy and some sense of inspired when they look at my art. The loveliest part about doing commissions for people is hearing their feedback! I recently painted a piece that a lady commissioned as a gift for her friend who was moving away. My client was so full of joy when she received it she said, ‘you’ve captured just what I wanted’. Being a part of someone else’s story and having your artwork play a part in a piece of their life is so beautiful. I’m almost sure my art will keep evolving and changing but I’ll always stay true to my love for jubilant colours and my aims for my art to be a tool to connect.”
Question #3: What has led you to this point in your life?
“Art has always been present in my childhood as my mother is also an artist! Sometimes it’s hard to realize what your passion is when you don’t actually think it’s valid. I’ve always loved changing my room around (it involved a lot of paint accidents and painting in the walls without mother’s permission…whoops). Having that desire to create and transform something and have it be your own is such a rewarding process. As I’m reaching the point where I have to decide what I want to study- I’ve started to validate my passion and see it as more than ‘a fun hobby’.”
Question #4: What motivates you to create?
“Aaah so many things! Sometimes I’ll be scrolling on Instagram and I’ll see a piece of art that just gives me an energy to go paint! It’s hard to pinpoint what motivates me to create but I think it’s because I have a great respect for art – I see it as something that adds interest and enriches our lives (the world would be soooo BORING without it!!) I often paint because it makes me feel productive! Realising the importance of art in bringing flare, passion and emotion to things/people (& people’s sweet words of encouragement ) are two factors that drive me!”
Part Two: More than Pigment
What is your artistic process?
“My work consists mainly of portraits as I’ve mentioned earlier! I love being able to capture somebody’s intangible essence and make it something permanent! I work primarily with acrylic paints as they are rich in colours and are forgiving of mistakes. I start my art process by mapping out the extremely basic shapes and features as the main detail and creation of “form” comes with the paint process. I try to look into the reference picture and find as many possible different colours & then I enhance them when I put them down onto my artwork. Many people ask how I see so may colors but it wasn’t ever something I actively did – with practice and following my instinct it just naturally flowed. Lately I’ve been loving pairing pastel colours and bright neon colours together. For me, colour is one of the most important elements of an art piece -I don’t care whether it’s 10000% in proportion or hyper realistic…I’m more interested in the overall aesthetic and feeling of my piece.
Medium: Acrylic
Year:2020
Duty Queen
I decided to paint this piece of my mother. I title this piece “duty queen” as it is a play on the words “beauty queen.” Her hand, the hand that paints and creates colourful worlds within her paintings, is held to her heart. This is a symbol of duty as she is pledging an oath to uplift other women and use her gift to bring joy to others. Often women are only valued for their aesthetics and appearance – therefore I took the sparkling crown (which symbolizes the superficial beauty industry) and placed it on her head as “she takes back the power” and wears her crown as a sign of empowerment instead of oppression. She gets to choose what the crown means!!! Upon her head the crown now symbolizes duty (much like a queen has a duty to govern her citizens) we, as women, have a duty to inspire, uplift and help one another to keep striving for a better world! Like the green ivy blossoming from her crown, we will keep climbing, growing and flourishing!
Medium: Acrylic on paper
Year: 2020
Quarantine Cut
I title this piece “Quarantine Cut” This is a piece inspired by our current Quarantine state! I honestly found it to funny and quite fascinating how all the boys were shaving their heads and even nominating other boys to join in the “challenge” too! I found it an interesting reflection of human nature and how we can do spontaneous (crazy) things when we are bored! As we are all currently living IN HISTORY right now, I wanted to create a piece of art that would encapsulate this period of time as a way to record history. This one is dedicated to all the crazy kids who shaved their heads during quarantine.
Medium: Acrylic on paper
Year: 2020
Candy Land
I title this piece “candy land”. This is a tribute to my lovely friend faith! This piece is one from my “Pastel Pals” series. In this series,I am busy painting a few of my dear friends as a way to be connected to them during self-isolation. I wanted this piece to have a candy colour scheme and contemporary aesthetic ( I love the fresh, clean feel of artworks.)
Medium: Acrylic
Year: 2020
Red Headed Goddess
I painted this piece of the wonderful Chloé as part of my “Pastel Pals” series. To me, she is an “old soul with a contemporary mind.” Her ability to be multi talented amazes me ( she’s a ballerina, a tap dancer, a singer, an artist, and an academic!) Often she gets frustrated when people say her hair is brown (because-for the record-it IS a glowing red ) so I painted this piece to showcase her and her lovely RED hair!
Medium: Acrylic on card
Year: 2020
An Ode to Irma
I title this piece “ An Ode to Irma “ A few months ago we went on a school trip to visit the Irma Stern Museum and she really inspired me! She was a wanderlust adventurer who explored Africa and also captured the essence of places and people in her work. I love her thick application of paint, free brushstrokes and her focus on feeling rather than formality. I translated that Irma inspiration into this piece and created a fictional lady in all my favorite colours.
Where/ How can Vacant Museum viewers see more of your work and where can they purchase it?
My work can be viewed on Instagram: @olivia.black.art and I’m currently in the process of making a FaceBook page ( I will share details on my Instagram once it’s up and running). To purchase a piece, clients can direct message me on Instagram or email me : liviblack123@gmail.com