Paintings Sound

About

Olea Nova (b. St. Petersburg, Russia) is a Chicago-based painter and composer working across painting, drawing, and experimental sound. Her practice is rooted in improvisation and the construction of unstable forms—images and structures that accumulate, dissolve, and reorganize as they develop. In her paintings, line, color, gesture, and density move between abstraction and the suggestion of recognizable space. Her sound work extends this interest into time, using repetition, texture, and evolving form to explore how independent processes interact and transform one another.

Artist Portrait

Education

2011
BFA, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
1996
Specialist Degree in Cultural Studies, St. Petersburg University of Humanities and Social Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia

Selected Exhibitions and Performances

(* indicates one-person exhibitions)
2025
Performing When Chaos and Order Danced Together, Work for Theremin and Synthesizers, Meier Foundation, Art in Action Series, Woman’s Club of Wilmette
2024
Performing Dawn for Theremin and Synthesizers, Meier Foundation, Art in Action Series, Woman’s Club of Wilmette
2023
Performing Trilogy Fields for Theremin & Synthesizers, Alma Arts and Interiors, Chicago, IL
2022
In Good Company, Monira Foundation, Mana Contemporary Chicago, Chicago, IL

Performing Mini Drama The Call, MdW Fair, Chicago, IL
2020
Art and Science, The Art Center Highland Park, Highland Park, IL
2019
* Olea Nova: Air. April 13 – May 24, Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL
2016
Nature, Performing “Dystopia,” Slate Arts and Performance
2010
Summer Sounds: One Minute Film Festival, Screening video: The New Beginning, The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
2009
New Approaches: Four Exhibitions of Current Work, Sullivan Galleries, Chicago, IL

NSUSA/SAIC Art Appreciation Program, Nippon Steel U.S.A., Chicago, IL
2007
Peace Tower, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL
2003
Silent Witness Project, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, WI
2002
* Piercing Conflict, Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL

Selected Bibliography

2019
James Pollard. “Russian visual artist brings abstract exhibit to Evanston.” The Daily Northwestern. April 11.
2018
Angie Glaser. Interview. “Piercing Conflict Captures The Pain and Disruption of Migraine.”
https://migraineagain.com/disruption-of-migraine-piercing-conflict/
2014
Alamo-Costello, Chester. Interview. “Olea Nova – Spontaneous Dialogue.” The COMP Magazine
2010
“Migraine art sur Internet.” Al’Mots. September. 2.
2007
Cover. Footlights. Marcus Promotions, Inc. February–March.
2005
Cover and article: “Artist Olea Nova Captures Migraine Symptoms in Watercolor.” Northeast Florida Medicine. Ed. Timothy L. Steinberg. June. 7.
2002
Lynch, Kevin. “Mirroring Migraines.” The Capital Times. March 20.

Phillips, Renee. Presentation Power Tools for Fine Artists. New York: Manhattan Arts International. 97.

Grants and Awards

2019
Achievement Award, The Helen Coburn Meier & Tim Meier Foundation
2018
Mana Professional: Miami Residency
2008
Nippon Steel U.S.A. Award, NSUSA/SAIC Art Appreciation Program
2005
City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, CAAP Grant
2001
State Exhibit Award, Wisconsin Regional Art Program

Commissions

Artwork commissioned for the Silent Witness National Initiative, UW–La Crosse.

Artwork commissioned for medical study and research.

Publications

2002
Nova, O. Piercing Conflict. Catalog for an exhibit of paintings held 5/17/2002–6/28/2002; The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Chicago: Olea Nova Studio.
2003
“The Silent Witness National Initiative and Silent Witness College Program.” The Tapestry Magazine. May 2003. 30.
1994
“Distinctions of Baltic People’s National Psychology.” The Multinational Petersburg. St. Petersburg University of Humanities and Social Sciences. Russia. Issue 1.

Presentations

2018
“Parallel Processes in Sound Composition and Painting.” Visiting artist talk, University of Chicago MFA Studios.
2013
International Women Associates (IWA), Chicago, IL. “History of Russian Painting from Medieval Icon to Abstraction.”
2003
National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA) 24th Annual Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana. Session title: “Art as Activism in Women’s Studies.” Presented the Silent Witness Project.

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