Olga Chernysheva is a leading name from the Moscow generation emerging in the 90s who made a name for herself during a period of great political and cultural changes, which were, however, partly determined by the difficult reforms of the Soviet system and the economic problems that affected a large part of the population. Her work in different media - including very short essays which she combines with still or moving images - is based on a close observation of the reality around her.
Olga Chernysheva continues the long Russian tradition of social realism (very different form Socialist Realism, the official artistic doctrine of the former Soviet Union) and of art as a kind of critical and compassionate narrative. Her work is formally sophisticated, subtle and humorous.
Chernysheva was born in Moscow in 1962. She studied in Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography in Moscow (specialization Animation) and in the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam. Her solo shows were held at the State Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg (“The Happiness Zone”, 2014), Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp (“Keeping Sight”, 2014), Secession in Vienna (“Chandeliers at the Forest”, 2017). She represented Russia at the Venice Biennale of 2001. Her works were displayed at the 56th Venice Biennale (2015), Manifesta 10 in Saint-Petersburg (2014), 1st Bergen Triennale, Bergen, Norway (2013).
In 2022, Olga Chernysheva became the laureate of the 15th Drawing Prize held by Daniel & Florence Guerlain Contemporary Art Foundation, Paris.
