Olivier Salvas

Olivier Salvas is a distinguished artist, educator, media personality, and curator whose practice intersects arts education and social justice. Originally from Montreal, Quebec, Olivier relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia, shortly after earning his bachelor's degree in teaching French as a second language from the University of Montreal and McGill University. While pursuing graduate studies in media studies and curriculum at the University of British Columbia, Olivier seamlessly combined his dual passions for art and education, pioneering research-based artistic and pedagogical works.

Olivier’s artistic oeuvre spans abstract painting, photography, and mixed media, thoughtfully addressing social causes and igniting dialogue around identity and art education. His creative process, deeply influenced by urban culture, graffiti, and street art, begins with selecting a subject that deeply resonates. Olivier then crafts a narrative featuring a central character, questioning their responses and perspectives. This conceptual exploration culminates in collaboration with a photographer to develop a visual narrative, which directs his artistic approach and messaging.

Recognized for his commitment to the arts, Olivier was selected as an ambassador for Canadian Culture Days in 2019, representing British Columbia. The same year, he debuted his first solo exhibition, Rebel with a Cause, which ran for three months at Le Centre Culturel in Vancouver. In 2021, Olivier unveiled Flamboyant, a vibrant series of abstract paintings celebrating self-acceptance and positivity. The collection’s standout piece, Sometimes I Paint Just for Fun, garnered first prize at the Federation of Canadian Artists' "Pride in Arts" exhibition.

Olivier's collaborations reflect his dedication to education and environmental activism. He has worked with the Vancouver Biennale as an educator for the Big Ideas in Schools project since 2015. In 2020, he joined WE ARE OCEAN Vancouver, a global initiative commissioned by the Vancouver Biennale and organized by ARTPORT_making waves, contributing alongside Indigenous artist Cease Wyss. This endeavor supports the UNESCO Ocean Decade for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).

Olivier's foray into art and fashion began in collaboration with Charlie’s Charmed ARTFASHION, which premiered at the Winnipeg Fine Arts Gallery in March 2022. This ongoing project has since been showcased across Canada, with the ARTFASHION SHOP now established at Vancouver’s Artisan Avenue, a nominee for the Canadian Choice Award 2025.

A voice for social justice, Olivier has contributed as a columnist on Radio-Canada (CBC Radio) and as a journalist on OutlookTV and OutTV, covering 2SLGBTQ+ artists and causes. His expertise extends to hosting art panels nationwide for organizations like the Federation of Canadian Artists and Partial Gallery. Since 2022, Olivier has curated the British Columbia Housing Central Conference, orchestrating exhibitions that feature over 25 Canadian artists. He also serves as a workshop facilitator for the Outsiders Arts Festival, presented by Community Arts Vancouver, supporting and uplifting emerging artists.

His recent exhibitions, Disco Nap and Hidden Escapes: Art of the Inner Child, delve into the themes of safe spaces and trauma. Disco Nap emphasizes the significance of secure environments in schools, while Hidden Escapes explores the lasting impact of childhood trauma on adulthood.

Olivier Salvas continues to inspire through his multidisciplinary approach, creating art that advocates for societal change and fosters meaningful engagement.

Artistic Statement

The collections and projects I create are based on the principles of a/r/tography. To be engaged in the practice of a/r/tography means to investigate the world through an ongoing process of artistic creation in any art form. When I plan a project, I think about topics that interest me, most of the time under the theme of identity and the environment. Once the subject has been chosen and the research completed, I create a visual story and à a character who will be the narrator of the project. I put myself in the shoes of the character and collaborate with a photographer who documents the story that I have created. When I'm in the shoes of the character, I wonder about how they feel about the story. This is how I choose the direction for the paintings I create for the project. I paint from the character's point of view and not from my own. I choose the abstract to paint because for me, the abstract is connected to emotions and it allows us to better understand the story, a bit like watching a play. The names of the paintings are also chosen to contribute to the narrative framework.