Pittwater Life Febraury 2024 Issue

Art Life
Art Life
Studio is ‘Beginning Again’
Based at Palm Beach, Kirby Olave is
an emerging Australian visual artist
working predominantly with oil paint
on canvas. Influenced by the Renaissance,
Rococo, romantic and surrealist movements,
she infuses emotional expression
and vivid colour palettes to create a
unique artistic voice to form a sensitive
and evocative exploration of her subjects.
Kirby’s new solo exhibition ‘Beginning
Again’ kicks off the fourth year of art
connection and appreciation at The Studio
space at Careel Bay Marina, devoted
to showcasing the work of local artists in
support of local organisations.
Growing up in an artistic family, Kirby
developed a natural interest and passion
for art and design and was encouraged
from a young age to pursue a creative
life. After studying Fine Arts, Design and
Art Education, Kirby found her passion in
Aboriginal art and established her career
working in galleries.
In 2019, she was accepted as an artist
in residence at Chateau Orquevaux
in France, where she connected with
international artists and was encouraged
to pursue her own art career. Making the
transition to full time artist in 2020, she
NEW START: Emerging visual artist Kirby Olave
with Amy and Matthew Young.
went on to exhibit at The Other Art Fair in
Sydney in 2021.
Distinct in its capture of the beauty of
the natural world and the human body,
Kirby’s work is a “personal reflection” on
her life as a woman.
“I took an extended break from painting
to become a mother so for me, this exhibition
feels like an opportunity to start from
the beginning,” Kirby explains.
“My work is feminine, figurative, emotional
and surreal in manner but aesthetically
and technically realistic. There are
layers of meaning, stories and secrets,”
she says.
Beginning Again will raise funds for the
Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter and
Kirby will generously donate 20 per cent
of sale proceeds to this important community
organisation.
The exhibition will be open throughout
February on Saturdays from 9am-12
noon.
Amy Young of Laing+Simmons Young
Property says she is looking forward to
welcoming members of the local community
back to The Studio for another year.
“We’re proud that the local community
has taken ownership of The Studio, not
only welcoming but actively supporting
our vision to help local charities and
causes through collaborations with local
artists,” says Amy.
“In 2024, we’re getting bigger and better.
Kirby’s work exemplifies the natural
beauty we’re privileged to enjoy in our
part of the world,” she says.
– Stephen Naylor
*The Studio by Laing+Simmons Young
Property is in Careel Bay Marina, 94
George St, Avalon.
Curl Curl Space program
The Curl Curl Creative Space has a fresh lineup of exhibitions,
workshops, talks, and live music by emerging and established
artists from across a diverse spectrum of art forms.
From February 28 to March 3, resident artist Charlotte Bourilly
will pay homage to French new wave rock band Taxi Girl in her solo
exhibition ‘As Beautiful as a Bullet’.
The exhibition explores forgotten female bushrangers perpetuated
by the myth of Ned Kelly, understood from different perspectives.
Wild, excessive, disturbing and beautiful, these women
refused to be labelled and identified with a binary system.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of events featuring
space jazz, groove-based improv, and post-future beats performed
live. More info Council website.
44 FEBRUARY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991