Olga Urbanek (b. 1987) approaches portraits in a new way. Fluorescent orange brightens like a highlighter. A pane of yellow glass mirrors the peak of a mountain in the background. A heart-shaped bouquet is stuffed into a mouth. These images, towing a line between fashion and fine art, demonstrate an understanding of digital photography as a mode of communication. They offer a vast amount of visual information through seemingly simplistic compositions. In one scenario, pale blue foam acts as a crash mat. The same colour crops again in a PVC jacket, which, in turn, matches the colour of the sky. Meanwhile, green foliage fills the gaps perfectly between the model and the horizon 鈥 blooms intervening the composition. Each photograph is a clever and considered juxtaposition of form, colour and texture, placing individuals in unexpected scenarios. Urbanek鈥檚 exhibition credits include the Month of Photography Los Angeles and the Sony World Photography Awards.
Olga Urbanek, Anna. Personal work, 2018. Courtesy of the artist. Olga Urbanek, Syla. Personal work, 2018. Courtesy of the artist. Olga Urbanek, Angelica, Self-Portrait, 2018. Courtesy of the artist. Olga Urbanek, Usee Studio. Commissioned Work, 2017. Courtesy of the artist. Olga Urbanek, Life is a torture. Personal Work, 2019. Courtesy of the artist. Olga Urbanek, Syla 2. Personal work, 2018. Courtesy of the artist. Olga Urbanek, Symbiosis. Personal work, 2018. Courtesy of the artist. Olga Urbanek, Morra, 2019.
Courtesy of the artist.
