Hello. I’m Olana.

I was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and emigrated to Norway as a teenager. I arrived in Australia for a holiday in 2015 and have lived in Melbourne ever since.

I am a self-taught artist; I first picked up a brush in 2018. I started out recreating images from the traditional Ethiopian Orthodox church art I remembered from my childhood, as a way to remember my home. As I continued, I found that art connected me strongly with my culture and allowed me to communicate many ideas and experiences in ways that my broken English couldn’t. Art is how I express my identity; the things I find funny; the things that are important to me. I think my broken English makes it even more beautiful.

My work involves illustration, large-scale public art works, brand creative and collaborative projects with other creatives. In the studio, I mostly work with recycled timber and found materials, using acrylic, oil and pastel. I also run art workshops for kids and young people, often from CALD and migrant backgrounds like me.

I have exhibited my work in solo and group shows around Melbourne and have worked with local and international brands and organisations including: Nike , Nicholas Daley, NGV, SBS Australia, Pan Macmillan, Readings Books, Obus, Museums Victoria, Dowel Jones, Melbourne Design Fair, City of Melbourne, City of Darebin, Merri-Bek City Council, Flash Forward, Melbourne Fashion Week (M/FW), ASRC, Scarf, The Social Studio, AKC Artbus, Woodleigh School, Merri Creek Primary School, Carlton Primary School and more.