DANIEL
OLIVIER

Daniel Olivier, born in 1950 in Calais, France, is a distinguished figure in the world of figurative painting. With a career spanning over fifty-five years, Olivier is a seasoned artist with an academic foundation. He is affiliated with numerous esteemed art organizations, including ADAGP, the Taylor Foundation, Mondial Art Academia, the Maxi-Realists group of Dan Jacobson at Comparaisons, the Circle of European Artists, and has been an active participant in the Salon d’Automne and the Salon des Artistes Français. Currently based in Auvers-sur-Oise, Olivier has been creating art professionally since his first solo exhibition in May 1970.

From a young age, Olivier felt an irresistible calling towards painting, an inclination that shaped his entire life. His passion for art was further solidified at the age of 13, following a near-death experience involving a car accident and subsequent coma, where he reportedly experienced a “tunnel of light.” This profound event deeply influenced his view of art as a means of connection to a higher consciousness. His art reflects a pursuit of unity, inner peace, and an authentic exchange with his audience.

Olivier began honing his artistic skills at 16, attending drawing academies and painting workshops in Paris. He regularly visited the Louvre Museum, using it as a resource for studying classical painting techniques and improving his drawing through antique sculptures. For much of his life, he worked as a dental technician, yet never ceased creating and promoting his art, especially in associative and community contexts. Today, he dedicates himself entirely to painting, having set aside his earlier endeavors in stone carving and ceramic work.

For me, painting is much more than a creative pursuit; it is an essential link to the universe and a profound form of meditation. From the moment I pick up my brush, I am drawn into a state of intense focus, working tirelessly with a magnifying glass to capture the finest details. This practice brings me an incredible sense of inner peace. Painting allows me to transcend the ordinary, becoming a means of seeking unity and connection, both with the subject matter and the viewers of my work. My desire is always to communicate authenticity and a sense of shared human experience through each piece.

The influence of the Great Masters has been instrumental in shaping my technique. Leonardo da Vinci’s mastery, Salvador Dali’s dreamlike worlds, and Jean Olivier Hucleux’s precision have profoundly affected my approach to painting. My intention is to blend technical rigor with a symbolic and poetic imagination that evokes deeper meanings. I am particularly interested in transparency and the use of glazes, creating a luminous effect that helps bring out the hidden facets of my subject matter. Each layer of paint is an exploration of light, form, and symbolism, aimed at capturing an essence that goes beyond the visible.

My journey as an artist began quite early, but it was my near-death experience at the age of thirteen that truly shaped my artistic path. Experiencing the “tunnel of light” after a severe car accident left an indelible mark on me. It offered me a glimpse of something transcendent, a reminder of the fragility and beauty of life. Through my work, I try to convey this experience, inviting viewers to look beyond the surface and to connect with something greater. Painting, for me, is a continuous quest for meaning, beauty, and the opportunity to commune with those who experience my art.

Education and Training:

• Attended drawing academies and painting workshops in Paris, starting in 1966.
• Studied classical painting techniques and drawing at the Louvre Museum’s antique sculpture department.

Exhibitions:

• First solo exhibition in May 1970.
• Numerous solo exhibitions and participation in artistic events across Paris, Île-de-France, and other regions in France.
• “Théorème” Installation: European Heritage Days, Cour d’Honneur of Château de Méry-sur-Oise, September 2015.
• Created and organized “The First Sculpture Meetings in Val d’Oise” at the Herblay Cultural Center in 1997.
• Group exhibitions under the “10 artists-10 works” concept in Val d’Oise.

Awards and Distinctions:

• Bronze Medal at the Salon des Artistes Français, 2024.
• Great Signature, International Salon of Pomponne, 2024.
• Prize of the Painting Academy, Deuil-la-Barre, 1970.
• Gold Medal for Drawing at the National Salon of Fine Arts, Enghien-les-Bains, 1993.
• Municipality Prize at the Salon of Auvers-sur-Oise, 2020.
• Jury Prize at the Salon of Roissy-en-France, 2021.
• Painting Prize at the Spring Salon of Neuville, 2022.
• Gold Medal of the City at the Île-de-France Salon of Bourg-la-Reine, 2023.
• First Prize at Chablis, “Chablis fait le mur,” 2023.
• Grand Prize of the Salon of Rouen, Société des Artistes Normands, 2023.

Other Honors and Competitions:

• Awarded in Mondial Art Academia’s international gallery competition, 2016.
• Ranked in the top 150 finalists in the FIKVA International Awards for Painters, 2022.
• Artist of the Year, ARTAVITA, ranked among the 60 winners, January 2024.
• Selected artist in the ModPortrait 2022 competition, MEAM Barcelona.

Other Honors and Competitions:

• Member of ADAGP, the Taylor Foundation, Mondial Art Academia, Maxi-Realists group, the Circle of European Artists, Salon d’Automne, and the Salon des Artistes Français.

Publications and Listings:

• Listed on Artprice and “Akoun’s Painter Price Guide.”
• Registered in I-CAC.
• Works held in public and private collections in France and abroad.