Olivia Bernardoff’s recent work is a continuation of her fascination with the urban environment as well as a further investigation into landscape painting.  Her paintings speak of her recent freedom to travel as and when she likes, “criss crossing the state at leisure”.  Angular cityscapes, lush countryside and the nostalgia of caravan touring are often juxtaposed with Olivia’s concern with the impact of urbanisation on a fragile and precious landscape.  She is also inspired by things closer to home with several elements combining to imbue familiar subject matter with additional meaning.  Favourite motifs include cars, roads and dogs which repeatedly appear in Olivia’s work and are influenced by the country town in which she lives.  Unusual viewpoints, textural application of paint and a particular quality of light combine to render scenes as enigmatic moments in time; objects are given powerful significance and figures are reduced to incidental additions to the landscape.

Initially trained in political science at Melbourne University, Olivia has always been involved in art and completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts degree at the Canberra School of Art  (ANU) in 1999.  She has been exhibiting work since 1990 in group and solo exhibitions including the Orange Regional Gallery, the Goulburn Regional Gallery, Canberra School of Art Gallery and Studio One.