Sirena’s Cosmic Ocean
Interview by Lwando, Kunye Colab
Written by Adinah Froneman
Cape Town-based artist Olivia Dunkley, rapidly advancing in her artistic brilliance, focuses on digital sculpting and 3D printing. She collaborates with Kunye Colab, working alongside an incredible team that creates work to push artistic boundaries. Olivia combines her creative vision with technical expertise, mentoring fellow artists through the digital fabrication process she has mastered.
Olivia unveiled her recent outstanding showpiece, Sirena, at her solo exhibition Cosmic Ocean at Art@Africa. Narrating a storyline is a fundamental conceptual ingredient in the creation of all of Olivia’s artworks. Olivia explains, “Sirena resides in a cosmic oceanic landscape and serves as the guardian of all the universe’s oceans. Sirena advocates for their preservation and calls on humanity to protect them.” Sirena debuted alongside additional abstract artworks The Sound of Water, Tides of Time, Seaflow, and Ocean's Embrace, which symbolize Sirena’s world and convey her message. Through these sculptures, Olivia creates allure to inspire her viewer to take a deeper look at each artwork in relation to the paramount storyline.
Cosmic Ocean is a fictitious, mythological concept symbolizing the "infinite and primordial waters from which the universe emerged," explains Olivia. Water is explored in this narrative as the source of creation and the interconnectedness of life, where cosmos and oceans merge. As viewers engage with the artworks, they are invited to reflect on how water embodies the mystery of existence, the cyclical nature of life, and the universe’s boundless potential.
Olivia introduces 'Sirena', her prelude sculpture that personifies the universe and its oceans. In this narrative, Sirena is "created from stardust and the salt of the seas, she has existed since the beginning of time and witnessed both the birth and destruction of our oceans." The sculpture invites us to appreciate the ocean's beauty and recognize its sacredness within the tapestry of life.
One of the works representing Sirena’s oceanic realm is The Sound of Water, speaking to the unity between humans and the environment. An open invitation was extended to the public to collect bottle caps, which will be recycled into filament to 3D-print this masterpiece next. Its fluid, intertwined lines symbolize the universe’s organic flow.
Olivia aims to create harmonious forms that evoke tranquility by focusing on graceful shapes and flowing forms that are soothing to the eye. Each piece is crafted to convey serenity in relation to the spaces they inhabit. Inspired by technology, Olivia believes it allows artists to push their artistic license and explore possibilities that were previously unattainable. It also offers "new forms of expression, broader audience reach, and community engagement," enabling the core message of the artwork to be fully experienced.
Olivia believes it is a humanitarian duty to care for the world, which has tirelessly been a life-giving source. She emphasizes, "It’s vital to give back to the world we live in—not just for its sake, but for future generations who will experience it." Olivia uses water as a metaphor to symbolize the essential, life-sustaining resource that humans need to nurture. She shares with her audience her personal experiences from free-diving, where she witnessed and felt the profound peace of life within the water.
Her personal connection to water inspired her to evoke similar sentiments through the harmonious contours of her work, which convey a sense of peace. According to her, creatives have a profound impact on shaping the world by drawing attention to important issues and inspiring others. She urges artists to stay true to their vision, tell stories and embrace experimentation, serving as a testament to her own motivation and dedication. Everyone is invited to experience Olivia’s intellectual and artistic brilliance at Art@Africa