Details

First Name	Olana
Last Name	Light
Username	OlanaLight
Website	http://www.olanalight.com
Region	England
Disciplines	Film, Moving Image, Performance, Sculpture
Themes	Abstract, Environment, Identity, Landscape, Portraits

Statement

Light’s practice moves between sculpture, performance, and moving images, focusing on the intricate relationship between humans and the natural world. Her ongoing exploration of belonging and discovering her place in the world leads her to recognize that we are an integral part of nature. Through her work, she explores how human existence is deeply intertwined with nature, examining how we both shape and are shaped by our environment. This idea of unity with the natural world is central to her work.

Audiences are invited to witness the human seamlessly merging with the natural world, creating a collective ‘we-world’ that transcends societal divisions and offers an inclusive space where everyone feels a sense of belonging. By freeing herself from societal norms, Light delves into the essence of humanity and our place in the universe.

Nature serves as an abundant source of inspiration for Light, driving her to envision a future where we harmonize with the natural world. She aims to inspire others to coexist with nature and work towards a brighter future. Through her art, Light sparks conversations about our relationship with nature, the essence of identity, and the accessibility of art to all.

Light’s live performances in public places aim to integrate art into everyday life, providing access for ordinary people and passersby who may otherwise be unable to experience the arts due to financial or other barriers that prevent them from visiting galleries.

Biography

Olana Light is a multidisciplinary artist based in Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK. She has an MA from Goldsmiths (2020) and a BA from Southampton Solent University (2017).

Recent awards include the Bute Festival Thameslink Award (2024), Every Breathe We Take Award (2024), Arts Council England DYCP (2024), CAS Emerging Sculptors Award (2023), Southampton City Gallery Billboard Commission (2023); Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant (2022 and 2021); Blue Sky Ideas Art&Heritage Award (2022); StreetLife&Aesthetica Changing Rooms Commission Prize (2022); SpudOPEN Judge’s and Public Choice Award (2022); The Spring Open Competition Award (2022); the Little Forest Open Competition (2022); ‘a space’ arts Lucky Dip Bursary (2021); Zealous Stories Sculpture (2021); Sunny Art Prize Award (2020); and the Goldsmiths International Response Scholarship Award (2017). She was also shortlisted for the Women in the Art Prize (2024), 6th John Ruskin Prize (2024); Quay Arts Open: The Art of Sculpture (2023); CAS Open_Open (2023); The Next Thing Award (2022); 8th International Marianne Brandt Award (2022); NAE Open (2022); the Zealous Stories: Short Film (2022); The Next Thing Award (2021); Zealous Stories Performance (2020); Batsford Prize Award (2019 and 2017); Harvest Short Film Competition (2019); Visual Art Open Prize (2018); Nasty Women International Art Prize (2018), and the Platform Graduate Award (nominated by Aspex Gallery, 2017).

She has exhibited her work nationally and internationally. Recent solo exhibitions include Let It Breathe, Hidden Wardrobe, ‘a space’ arts, Southampton; out I side I in, The Smallest Gallery, Soho; We Are Not Ourselves, The Stone Space, and Jeannie Avent Gallery, London.

Olana has completed residencies at the Hugo Burge Foundation in Scotland (2024), La Vista in Tenerife (2023), EcoSuites in Greece (2022); School of Design and Fashion in Southampton (2019); Aspex Gallery in Portsmouth (2017 and 2018); Sticks Gallery in Fareham (2017).

Recent publications include Ludvig Rage, Inside Artist, and Trebuchet.