Olga Hilgers

I paint strong, sensual, sense-seeking women in a contemporary rather realistic style. Behind a catchy sexuality there are usually a few layers of existential, mythological or magical narrative layered on a current cultural environment. (I like to dig out some old narratives - fairy tales or myths -...

I paint strong, sensual, sense-seeking women in a contemporary rather realistic style. Behind a catchy sexuality there are usually a few layers of existential, mythological or magical narrative layered on a current cultural environment. (I like to dig out some old narratives - fairy tales or myths - and apply them to our modern reality or look at them from an unusual perspective).

All of my characters possess an immense inner power, which was not given them for granted. They are not perfect or comforting, but they remind a viewer about the hidden power resources that are available to a person, they inspire and fortify. They wade through illusions, stereotypes, social constructs and ideals to reach our common human core.

Although my paintings are figurative and emotionally charged, they still offer an open and subjective interpretation for a viewer. Human form, gestures combined with face expressions are an endless fruitful source of inspiration for me. Every line, twist and crease of human skin, spiced up with a smooth nature of oil paint and emotional color choices - all of that creates a stimulating potion of preciousness for me and for a viewer.