Interview
Olga Bossart
Born and raised in Odessa, Ukraine, Olga Bossart has always been passionate about art. She started her photography career in 2015 and currently lives and works in Zurich, Switzerland. Her art penetrates the complex nuances of human emotions and experiences, and drawing inspiration from the boundless beauty and complexity of the world, Olga explores abstract concepts, using shapes and colors as a canvas to express her thoughts and feelings. In addition, she uses objects as metaphors, translating her experiences and perspectives into meaningful visual narratives.
Through her work, Olga invites viewers to interpret her art to inspire introspection, promote dialogue, and encourage viewers to reflect on their journey of self-discovery. Olga Bossart has devoted her life to abstract photography and hopes that her art will remind everyone of the beauty and complexity of the human experience and the importance of exploring yourself and your emotions.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“Since childhood, I have been attracted to art and creativity. I had love for literature during my time in school, so I decided to become a journalist for a living. However, I wanted more inspiration in my work. So I made the decision to change my profession. It was a challenging but exciting journey. During that period, I devoted myself entirely to photography: I attended all possible courses and seminars on photography to improve my skills. As a result, I received theoretical and practical knowledge about light, post-processing, technical subtleties of image consciousness, etc. All of this helped me in conveying my ideas through photography. In addition, I experimented a lot with my work, developing and honing my style. I wanted to create beautiful photographs that resonated with people emotionally and made them think or see something new. And now I'm on a path that inspires me, where I enjoy the ride. I did not show my work to the public for a long time. I was quite a closed person who did not often contact the outside world. But over time, I felt a strong need for dialogue. I had something to say, and I was ready for feedback.”
What inspires you?
“Inspiration is unpredictable and uncontrollable. However, you can generate it with movement. In movement, you get the development that accompanies inspiration. As a photographer, many things inspire me. The beauty and complexity of the surrounding world catch my eye. The source of my inspiration can be objects from everyday life or something out of the ordinary. Specific shapes or colors trigger a creative process in me.
However, one of my most significant sources of inspiration is people. In dialogue and interaction with another person, I discover a source of energy for myself, new ideas and images come to me, or I can discover a unique point of view or vision on an already familiar topic. Sometimes it is not necessary to do or say something. Being open to new ideas, images, and feelings is enough. I find inspiration in other people's tales, personal experiences, and perspectives on the world and other people. The diversity of human experience is vast and unique. My works help my capacity to understand the ideas and emotions of others and to learn more about myself.”
“My message - go on a journey with me. Let my art encourage introspection, invite you to enter into a dialogue, and remind you to give yourself time to think and explore yourself.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“My works are moments, experiences, and emotions that make up my path. They are very personal, so my work has no single message. Instead, it is a mosaic of thoughts and stories touching me. I strive to convey and evoke feelings and emotions in my abstract works. No recognizable objects or a specific plot exist, which can limit the freedom of thought. This explores feelings and emotions, and I invite the viewer to join me. At the same time, in my product photography, you can clearly understand what is shown in the picture. In this case, the objects are a metaphor for my experiences and thoughts. The accompanying text, which I often write for individual series of works, provides context and continues my artistic expression. My message - go on a journey with me. Let my art encourage introspection, invite you to enter into a dialogue, and remind you to give yourself time to think and explore yourself.”
How would you describe your work?
“As a conceptual photographer, I don't just use photography to record things like people, places, or events; I use it to represent my ideas and thoughts. My photos are my interpretation of the external and internal world. These are emotions, a reflection of my thoughts and feelings intertwined with my vision, but I strive to leave room for the viewer to interpret. I like to experiment with form, color, and light in my work; modern equipment helps me with this. Most of the time, I create a series of photographs that, when combined, represent a message or an idea.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Most of the time, I get inspired by works rather than specific people. I enjoy the aesthetics of different artists. In most cases, I refrain from following the work of my fellow artists, as there is a good chance of getting off track and inadvertently adopting someone else's style. As it is, I am very attracted to the work of Barbara Kruger, Thomas Eggerer, Walead Beshty, Yayoi Kusama, and many others.”
What is your creative process like?
“I can't clearly divide my time between work and free time. This is where normal life processes are intertwined with the creative process. However, everything starts with an idea. Sometimes, inspiration comes to me, and an idea or image comes on its own, and sometimes I consciously search in the outside world. Then the planning process begins. I think over the concept and prepare the working environment, lighting, and other equipment. Most of the time, I shoot in the studio. For my process, I need personal space to create the necessary atmosphere to complement my story.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“The artist has a significant role in society. Since the artist is a creative person with a unique vision, perception, and way of processing information. To some extent, the artist feels freer expressing their idea than others. Because the artist uses their own language. This is important for highlighting painful moments and problems of a personal, social, or political nature. I see the role of the artist as a beacon of freedom. Since works of art can inspire people to create and express themselves in various ways, it does not have to be shown to the world. They can also open up new directions in self-expression, thereby expanding people's views. The artist's role may change depending on the society and time they create. In general, an artist, on the one hand, is a mirror reflecting what is happening in the world and, on the other hand, a pioneer and creator of new ideas.”
