Contemporary artist James Olley paints the familiar urban and suburban spaces that showcase architectural forms common in North American society. He uses oil, acrylic and pencil crayon on board or canvas. Olley is on exhibit at a survey of Master of Fine Arts internship award recipients at University of Waterloo Art Gallery through Oct. 27.


James Olley received his MFA from University of Waterloo in 2008 and his BFA from NSCAD University. He has had solo and group exhibitions across Canada and abroad including KKAP, Chicago; Incident Report, New York; Dundee Contemporary Arts, Scotland; and Groenhazengracht 1, Netherlands. His work has been profiled at contemporary several art fairs, including Pulse New York, Miami, and Next Chicago and is in private collections such as the Colart Collection, Montreal. He has received grants from the Ontario Arts Council and the Vermont Studio Center Residency. He lives in Toronto and is an Assistant Professor in the Fine Arts Department at OCAD University.
James Olley’s website, here.
University of Waterloo Art Gallery, exhibition, here.
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great perspective work in 1,2 4 and 6
Agree, and I think the perspective is what makes the works so appealing. Thanks.
I think there’s some great work here! I especially like the 3rd and 5th paintings.
I really like his style – and since he’s an emerging artist, I’m sure there will be style adjustments to come.