América Olivo Wins the XXX National Visual Arts Biennial

This post is also available in:

The Dominican Republic is a land of artistic talent, where creativity and originality thrive in every corner of the country. In this context, the XXX National Visual Arts Biennial (BNAV) has once again stood out as a showcase to celebrate the artistic diversity of the Caribbean nation. Among the awardees of this edition, the “Chavonera,” América Olivo, rose to prominence, winning the award presented by the Ministry of Culture of the Dominican Republic, alongside other talented Dominican artists.

America Olivo is an artist who has left her distinctive mark on the world of visual arts. Graduated in Fine Arts and Illustration from the Altos de Chavón School of Design and later at the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, she has captivated critics and art enthusiasts with her unique approach and inspired creations.

Her award-winning work, “El dije (historias entrelazadas),” is a testament to her artistic genius. With a backdrop evoking the turquoise blue of the Caribbean Sea, the piece addresses a range of topics that touch sensitive chords in Dominican society. The issue of waste in the country, the revival of traditional fabrics, elements of tropical architecture, and the promotion of feminine values all intertwine in this creation. America Olivo takes us on a journey where feelings and meanings are symbolically interwoven, reminding us of the richness of Dominican culture and the need to address environmental challenges we face.

Minister of Culture of Dominican Republic, Milagros Germán, congratulated all the award-winning artists, emphasizing the importance of the BNAV as an event that stimulates, projects, and develops the visual arts in the Dominican Republic. She also highlighted the special tribute to master Jorge Pineda in this edition, whose work is exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art under the title “Nuevas anatomías.”

Diverse artist

In an interview with America Olivo, the artist shared with Casa de Campo Living her perspective on art and the inspiration behind her work. “I don’t believe in pigeonholing art. Ideas come in many different ways, and each idea has its ideal medium for expression or execution. Art is not static; it’s dynamic, and the concerns for creating art are always changing with the times”, she says.

Additionally, America spoke about her life as a mother and an artist, emphasizing that both facets complement and enrich each other. “I’m not less of a mother for being an artist, nor less of an artist for being a mother. On the contrary, one thing feeds into the other and enriches each other.”

The artist shared exciting news about her future, announcing an individual exhibition scheduled for April 2024 at the WAO Altos de Chavón gallery.

The XXX National Visual Arts Biennial will remain open until December 15, offering the public the opportunity to explore the creations of talented Dominican artists. In this edition, a certificate will be awarded to each participating work, along with cash prizes for the winners, marking a milestone in the history of the BNAV.

America Olivo’s work, “El dije (interwoven stories),” thus becomes part of the prestigious collection of the Museum of Modern Art, alongside the works of the great masters of Dominican art, an achievement that acknowledges her dedication and contribution to the artistic landscape of the Dominican Republic.

Review

“America Olivo, a multidisciplinary artist originally from La Romana, won an equal prize in the XXX National Visual Arts Biennial. The jury’s verdict awards the prize to the work “El Dije” with the following judgment: ‘Interconnected Stories. An impressive installation, a staging that refers to environmental sustainability through recycling and Dominican artisanal tradition in rhythmic harmony with the repetition of forms inspired by Caribbean architectural structures.’

The work represents a large-scale pendant with design reminiscent of colonial and Caribbean influences, using colored plastic bags as raw material. It’s an impressive piece not only for its colorful and dimensions but also for the multitude of stories interwoven in a curvilinear design, like a labyrinth, at a crossroads of artisanal heritage, oral history, feminine and community roles, reviving traditional craftsmanship and, why not, reconnecting at its core with the tragedy of the 21st century, excess, globalization, migration, and the consequences of overpopulation, the indifference, and the rampant selfishness of a consumerist society that poisons the planet for all those who are here and those who have not yet arrived.

A piece that enchants with its aesthetics, colors, and dimensions but, upon reflection, overwhelms and leads us to question whether we are part of the solution or the problem in interconnected stories, taking us on a journey from a salty sea to a sea filled with plastic through time.”

Margarita González Auffant
Museum Curator and Contemporary Art Specialist