New Zealand artist in final of Saatchi Showdown, London
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Artist, Charles Olsen, (b. Nelson, NZ, 1969) with his painting 'La Sundari', is one of twelve artists in the final of
the International Art Competition, the Saatchi Showdown. The competition is open to all artists around the world with
the finalist having their work shown in the Saatchi Gallery in London. There have been twelve rounds with thousands
entering a work every fortnight and then the two favourites going 'Head to Head' to reach the final. The final takes
place from this Monday 20th until Sunday 26th August.
Charles Olsen has been living in Madrid for the past four years where he is painting and studying flamenco guitar with
gypsy maestro, El Entri. 'La Sundari', painted in oil on three old wooden window-shutters, is the portrait of a friend
who is studying flamenco in the renowned academy 'Amor de Dios' in Madrid.
He found the window-shutters one night in a skip near the academy and carried them home one at a time for the painting.
'They are part of the history of the city and I was also looking for a cheap support to paint on. There is also a
vibrant graffiti scene here in Spain and when the shops are closed the metal shutters are covered with large scale
images and graffiti but it is difficult to pick out where an idea comes from... maybe Ralph Hotere's paintings on old
glass windows... there are so many influences. I've been immersed in flamenco here and I've spent many hours working
with my friend Miryam Chachmany who I've painted in this portrait.'
How does he feel about being in the final of the Saatchi Showdown? 'I was on holiday in the mountains of Extremadura
near Portugal and had to wait until we visited a nearby town where there was mobile phone coverage so I could phone a
friend to find out the news. The 'Head to Head' round to reach the final was very close so I was both relieved and
excited to get through.
The nature of the competition favours artists with large online networks of friends rather than necessarily the highest
quality work but nevertheless each artist makes their own decision as to whether promoting their own work is important
for them or not. For me painting a portrait, accompanying a flamenco dancer with the guitar, learning a new language, or
organising an exhibition, all challenge me personally in different ways and trying to increase my chances in this
competition is just another challenge. There is some amazing work among the finalists.'
Another of his recent projects has been to create web pages to promote artists within the Myspace community in both New
Zealand and Spain. ‘Aotearoa Artists’ and ‘Artistas de España’ respectively, bring together artists on Myspace in both
countries. Each artist has an image and link to their own Myspace page making it easy for anyone interested to find art
and get in touch directly with the artists themselves. It has also helped to bring artists together and he has found
himself getting involved in projects with other artists, particularly in Spain. Another artist, Fabio Palumbo, from the
Spanish page is among the finalists of the Saatchi Showdown.
Link to vote in the Saatchi Showdown (20 – 26 August):
www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/showdown/
Aotearoa Artists www.myspace.com/newzealandartists
Artistas de España www.myspace.com/artistasdeespana
Charles Olsen www.myspace.com/charles_olsen
ENDS