Olaf’s professional art career started as a studio apprentice to South African artist Norman Catherine in 1997. In the 10 years that followed, his works have won various corporate art awards (ABSA’s L’Atelier; Sasol’s New Signatures, PPC Young Concrete Sculptor Awards) and form part of various private and state-owned collections (including the Taiwanese Taichung Cultural Government Commission).

Working mainly in oils and often incorporating projection as well as as-found objects, Olaf’s contemporary approach to this classic medium was shown at the JoBurg Art Fair in March 2008 and took the form of a major solo exhibition “Terra Incognita” at Rooke Gallery in May 2008 which achieved major attention. “A golden antique light breaks through his turbulent Turner–esque skies” Business Day 2008

Olaf has followed with various group shows, showing at the Rooke Gallery and with Ebony’s two galleries in Cape Town and Franschhoek. Olaf is currently completing an ambitious group of anatomical and landscape inspired pieces using found paintings and books. In the artist’s own words;

“ …the notion of things falling apart is dealt with as an exorcism of sorts and the distorted outcome is an expression of the artist’s own state of mind on the canvas, creating a personal record of the trials and tribulations of personal life. It remains the place where individual opinions, ideas and beliefs are dealt with. Ultimately, the works are about the artist’s misunderstanding of the certain aspects of life and dealing with one’s own demons, and the viewer is once more able to share and identify with the underlying concepts of melancholy, frustration, grief, longing and joy”

Solo Exhibitions:

‘Streeksbiblioteek’, KKNK, Oudtshoorn, 2013.
‘Biblioteek’, Woordfees, Stellenbosch, 2013.
‘Field guide’, Dawid Ras Gallery, Johannesburg, 2012.
‘Chaos’, Rooke Gallery, Johannesburg, 2010.
‘Terra Incognito’ Rooke Gallery, Johannesburg, 2008.
‘Changing Lanes’, Gordart Gallery, Johannesburg,2006
‘Migration’, Taichung Railway Station, Taichung, Taiwan, 2005.
(A permanent painting installation commissioned by the Taichung Cultural Government which was part of the centenary celebration of the Taichung Railway Station)

‘Thin Air’, Stock 20, Taichung, Taiwan, 2004.
Kung Fu for beginners’, 616 Art Collective, Taichung, Taiwan, 2002.