OlisPaintings
2024
Acrylics on Canvas
145cmx125cm
1000€
Oliver Reichelt
Oli – The Journey from Hotel Management to Painter: A Journey Between Bipolarity and Creativity
As a child, Oli dreamed of a world full of colors and shapes. A life shaped by the freedom of creative expression, where he could engage with the art of painting without restrictions. But life, as it often does, had other plans for him. Instead of picking up a paintbrush, Oli followed the conventional paths that his environment set for him – yet the urge for art remained ever-present. The story of Oli’s life is not just a tale of renunciation but also of transformation. It is a story about the courage to change one’s life and embark on the search for what truly fulfills.
Childhood: The First Encounter with Art
From an early age, Oli had a deep connection to art. Colors and shapes were his first companions, always fascinating him throughout his childhood. It was a time of play and discovery, a time when he perceived the world in his own, creative way. These early impressions left a lasting mark on him and created an enduring desire to engage more deeply with the world of art.
But like many children driven by a dream, Oli had to quickly face reality. The world outside his creative universe was not always ready to accept or nurture this passion. Instead, the focus was placed on practical life decisions, and Oli eventually found himself in an entirely different direction – one that led him farther from art than he could have ever imagined.
Adolescence: The Path to Fashion Design
During his teenage years, Oli’s interest took a decisive turn: the fascinating world of fashion captivated him, igniting a passion for clothing design. To him, fashion was more than just an outward style – it was a powerful way to transform and reshape a person’s identity. Fashion became for Oli a form of “art of transformation,” allowing one to change their self-image and simultaneously influence the interaction between the wearer and their environment.
The idea that fashion not only shapes outward appearance but also a person’s inner being fascinated Oli. The power of clothing, how it shapes and changes the perception of a person, became a central theme in his early engagement with art. This interplay of cause and effect, the manipulation of the parameters of identity, perception, and change, is still a guiding motif in Oli’s work. It is the red thread that accompanies his artistic journey and runs through his creations.
Professional Career: From Hotel Management to Film Production
Despite the burning passion for art and design that had gripped him since his youth, Oli decided to follow a seemingly safe and “reasonable” path. The voices of reason and society whispered that he should choose an “honorable” profession – one that would ensure a good income and help him leave a mark. So, he initially let his artistic soul rest and stepped into a tradition that promised a solid foundation. He became a hotel manager, then a start-up film producer, and finally a sales and marketing consultant. Yet, in each of these career steps, he felt how the longing for the freedom to express himself creatively lived on deep within him – an indelible flicker that never completely faded.
But despite the immense creative potential that many of his professional activities brought, Oli increasingly felt alienated. The projects he worked on had little to do with the overarching, meaningful goals he had secretly always desired. The art he had loved so much in his childhood slowly receded into the background, and Oli began to develop the feeling that he was a fraud – living a life that did not align with his true self.
This feeling of alienation eventually led to a classic “midlife crisis.” The pressure and frustration grew until Oli finally decided to take some time off and work on himself. During this period of reflection, a decisive turning point occurred in his life.
The Turning Point: The Decision to Become an Artist
On his 50th birthday, Oli made a decision that would change his life forever: he would spend the second half of his life as a painter. It was a spontaneous yet deeply considered decision. “I’ve always wanted to do this,” he said to himself. “I dreamed of becoming a painter since I was a child.” Yet, time and again, it was the external circumstances that had held him back – the pressure of society, the necessity of earning money, the expectations of his family. Now, at a time when he had a clearer understanding of his own values and needs, he was finally ready to live the dream that had been denied to him for so long.
With each brushstroke, Oli’s creative vision unfolded, going beyond mere fantasy and delving deeply into the layers of his own life experiences. Painting became for him more than just an artistic expression – it became a mirror of the dualities that shape life. In his works, the contradictions of existence merge into a powerful unity: the beauty hidden in the darkness, the joy that goes hand in hand with fear, and the isolation that is only revealed through the traces of his journey through the highs and lows of life that have shaped him into the artist he is today.
Oli’s Art: Between Figurative and Abstract
Oli’s artworks are unique in their depth and expressiveness. What makes his painting so special is the dialogue between different levels of reality. In his images, both figurative elements and abstract forms interact, creating an ongoing interplay between clarity and ambiguity.
A central theme in Oli’s work is the “bipolarity” of life – the contrast between positive and negative experiences, between light and shadow, between closeness and distance. These polarities are what make life what it is, and they are reflected in his images. It is this dualism that Oli portrays in his works – the connection between beauty and sorrow, joy and loneliness.
The layering visible in Oli’s paintings is another characteristic feature of his style. Each image is built up in multiple layers, each one adding a new level of meaning and interpretation. This layering creates a depth that invites the viewer to discover new details and facets time and again. What initially appears abstract reveals itself as a concrete image upon further observation, and what seems tangible at first transforms into an abstract representation. These shifting perspectives are what make Oli’s art so fascinating and multifaceted.
The Impact of His Art: A Reminder of the Beauty of Life
Oli believes that art has one primary task: it should remind us that life – and all of us – are beautiful, despite all the difficulties and challenges. In a world often defined by fear, isolation, and alienation, his intent is to use his paintings to bridge the gap and remind viewers of the positive sides of life. “I want to work on things that make me and others happy,” says Oli. “And that’s what my paintings should convey: that life is beautiful, that we are beautiful – despite everything.”
The diversity in Oli’s works, which allow new discoveries upon closer inspection, is an expression of this belief in the beauty of life. They are images that are never quite finished, always offering new perspectives and encouraging the viewer to engage more deeply with themselves and the world.
The Path of an Artist
Oli’s journey from hotel manager to film producer and marketing consultant, and finally to painter, is a powerful story about the courage to follow one’s dreams, even when they seem distant and unattainable. It is the story of a deep inner transformation, a journey toward self-realization, and the unceasing search for the true meaning of life. Through art, Oli not only found a way to express himself, but also a healing process that accompanied him during his darkest moments and helped him see the world with new eyes.
With his painting, Oli reminds us of the importance of the bipolarity of life and shows us that both the bright and dark sides of life have their place. In a world often shaped by black-and-white thinking, Oli invites us to accept the diversity of experiences and celebrate life in all its depth and beauty.
Oli has decided to dedicate the second half of his life to painting – and with every brushstroke, he gives us a reminder that true beauty resides in all of us, regardless of our mistakes and fears. His art speaks a deep truth: we are complete just as we are, and we deserve to see ourselves in all our unique splendor.
