Biography

About Olga

Representing a distinctive voice in contemporary Australian art, Olga Bakhtina is a Brisbane-based artist known for her evocative oil and charcoal compositions that weave together classical inspiration and modern storytelling. Her work is marked by deep historical consciousness, delicate symbolism, and an unmistakable emotional resonance.

Born in Russia and artistically shaped across three continents, Olga’s creative journey began over 15 years ago at an art school in the Sultanate of Oman, where she lived with her family for four years. Upon returning to Australia, she studied under Archibald Prize winner David Paulson, further refining her technique and expression. In 2024, Olga completed her academic journey with a degree in Art History from the University of Queensland, deepening her engagement with Early Renaissance art, which remains a profound source of serenity and inspiration in her practice.

Olga has a deep passion for Russian literature, human psychology, photography, theatre and history of art. The Paris Period at the end of the 19th to mid 20th century is Olga’s favourite period in the history of painting. Some of her favourite artists include Matisse, Soutine, Modigliani, Derain, Vlaminck and Chagall. Favourites, both for the depth of their work as well their intriguing life stories. Stories that are strongly reflected in their art.

In her own art, Olga enjoys portraiture and the human figure with a preference for strong brushwork and vibrant colours. Ultimately she looks for emotion in paintings.

What the Russian sculptor Jacques Lipchitz said about Modgiliani is something that rings very true for Olga: “His art was an art of personal feeling […] obviously guided by a completely intuitive, extremely fine and sensitive feeling, which was perhaps linked to his origins and his love of the paintings of the Early Renaissance.”

Olga paints from her home studio in Brisbane where she lives with her husband and three children.