Past Resident
2015: Danish Arts Foundation
Sandra Vaka Olsen
Sandra Vaka Olsen is interested in the ambivalent relationship between the contemporary body and the constant surge of technological developments of increasingly invasive nature. Her conceptual approach in sculpture and photography explores how human perception, body and identity are altered in minute and almost undetectable ways via the digital realm, pharmaceutics and other technological improvements. Through her artistic output she aims to bring to light otherwise invisible filters that we gradually include as part of our shared perception of the world in an ever changing, augmented reality.
Sandra Vaka Olsen (born 1980, Stavanger) holds a BA from Oslo National Academy of the Arts, and an MFA from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where she graduated in 2011. Her work has been the subject of the solo exhibitions including Fauna and IMO, both in Copenhagen, and has recently been included in group shows at Boetzelaer|Nispen, Amsterdam; Center, Berlin; Kunsthall Stavanger, Stavanger; Loyal, Stockholm; Stoneroses, Berlin; SixtyEight, Copenhagen; Grand Century, New York; Fotogalleriet, Oslo; Pavilions Without Walls, Performa 13, New York; CEO Gallery, Malmø; Malmö Konsthall; Stavanger Art Museum, Stavanger; Toves, Copenhagen; and Rogaland Contemporary Art Center, Stavanger. Furthermore she co-curates the artist run exhibition space Toves in Copenhagen. At the moment, Vaka lives and works between Berlin, Copenhagen and Stavanger.
Sandra Vaka Olsen, Sunshield, 2014, C-print, developed by artist with suncream finger-paintings, acrylic frame and epoxy drips, Dimensions variable. Courtesy of the artist.
