Olga Merrill recently had a solo exhibition “Enigma” at the Griffin Museum of Photography, MA, USA. She introduced her work as follow.
Enigma is my interpretation of the relationship between our human existence and the Earth. This bond is a full mix of fantasy and mystery that stimulates our minds to invent and invigorate possibilities.
My process is to use in camera double-exposures as metaphors for my vision. In these dual images, my subject becomes a mythical being as he blends with an untamed natural setting, forming an altered reality. The result is a dive into a human soul.
We all witness the endless flux of life. I invite and provoke the viewer to see deeply into what mysteries are hidden in the intimate corners of the soul. I hope that in the end, one finds answers as to what legacies will be left behind.
Olga Merrill
Olga Merrill is an award-winning Maine based visual artist primarily using the medium of photography. She uses photography as a tool – like an instrument to make music or a brush for painting – to create an image of her vision, with a dreamy and indirect relationship to external reality. Some images are essentially representative photography of the world around her that nevertheless dissolve into the wonder of abstract patterns, while others are complex manipulations of the ordinary visual world that use intentional camera movement, multiple exposures, and well planned color palettes to reflect her vision, dreams and feelings.
Merrill’s work has been part of group shows and festivals nationally and internationally, including NYC Center of Photography (USA), Davis Orton Gallery (USA), Foto-Foto Gallery (USA), Griffin Museum of Photography (USA), Praxis Gallery (USA), PH21 Gallery (Hungary), Malta Postal Museum (Malta), Fondazione de Matalon (Italy), Rockport Art Association & Museum (USA), Blank Wall Gallery (Greece), online shows at Center for Photographic Arts (USA), Center for Fine Art Photography (USA), among others.
Merrill was the 1st Place Winner, International Juried exhibit ” Black and White 2020″, NYC4PA; 1st place winner, 15th Annual National Photography Competition at Foto-Foto Gallery, 2019; Silver Award at San Francisco Bay International Photography Competition, 2019; Juror’s Choice Award at International Exhibitions, Praxis Gallery, 2018.
https://griffinmuseum.org/show/olga-merrill-enigma/
