Mat Ollig
-
-
BIO
Mat Ollig is an oil painter living and working in NE Minneapolis, Minnesota. He studied at the Accademia di Bella Arte in Florence, Italy, and graduated from the Perpich Center for Arts Education in Golden Valley, MN prior to receiving his BFA in Painting & Drawing from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) in Minneapolis, MN. Mat’s large, multi-faceted paintings were a result of his continued fascination with memory, reality, and perception funneled through the lenses of history and oil painting. Ollig’s influences include the movements of Cubism, Postmodernism, and Relational Aesthetics, as well as the work of artists such as Gerhard Richter, Mark Rothko, and Alexander Ross. Recently, a severe hand injury forced him to depart from his better-known style, resulting in a new body of work that explores his multi panel imagery but on a flat surface. This new series focuses on the panels themselves as subject matter. Their arrangement is depicted as part of the composition, and painted on a singular canvas. The imagery is as bound to the surface, much as Mat’s hand’s movement is bound by bandages, creating a body of work that is as much an inward artistic exploration as it is a journey of physical recovery.
Little About Mat
What inspires your work?
I'm deeply fascinated by the fragmented nature of modern reality—how our experiences, memories, and perceptions overlap and intertwine. My paintings aim to fuse these elements, creating an illusion of truth that reflects our complex world.
What is something unexpected about you that often surprises people?
Despite the digital age we live in, I find joy in the traditional medium of oil painting. It's a bit absurd, really—using "fuzzy sticks" and oily pigments to capture the essence of our high-tech, AI-driven world. Yet, this contrast brings a unique energy to my work.
What do you consider your most significant achievement as an artist?
Receiving Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grants in 2016, 2018, and 2020 was transformative. They validated my work and fueled ambitious projects. Personally, overcoming my hand injury and integrating that struggle into my art feels equally significant.
How has your work evolved over time?
My artistic journey has seen a progression from Neo-Cubist explorations to MetaModern oil paintings. A pivotal moment was a severe hand injury, which led me to adapt my style. This period was both a physical recovery and an inward artistic exploration.
Is there a particular medium or subject you're drawn to, and why?
Oil on canvas is my primary medium. Its richness and depth allow me to delve into themes of identity, memory, and the blurred lines between reality and virtuality. The tactile nature of oil painting offers a counterpoint to the digital subjects I often explore.
What's the most challenging part of being an artist?
Balancing the creative process with the practical aspects of an art career can be challenging. Navigating the art world, securing opportunities, and maintaining artistic integrity requires resilience and adaptability.
Do you have a favorite piece you've created? Why does it stand out?
It’s too difficult to choose. My latest series is so alluring, that I see each painting as a small piece to a larger whole that is the totality of the artwork.
Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I grew up in a small rural town in Minnesota to a family of farmers and telephone workers. Despite this, I knew I was to be an artist, and sought out the Perpich Center, and MCAD to facilitate my dream.
Who are your artistic influences or mentors?
My influences span Cubism, Postmodernism, and Relational Aesthetics. Artists like Gerhard Richter, Mark Rothko, and James Rosenquist have shaped my vision. Time at the Accademia di Belle Arti and mentorship at MCAD also deeply influenced my artistic journey.
What advice would you give to emerging artists?
Create relentlessly and don’t wait for permission. Consistency, authenticity, and community matter most. Protect your creative time, embrace challenges, and stay true to your voice. Every experience success or failure—shapes your growth. Show up, honor the process, and keep evolving.
