ARTIST | GRAPHIC DESIGNER | CURATOR
email: olga@o-o.art
Olga Selyshcheva (Ottenheijm)
Olga Selyshcheva (Ottenheijm) is a Ukrainian artist and a third-generation representative of an established artistic dynasty. Her distinct style creates a sophisticated dialogue between the Romantic era and the ornate elegance of Ukrainian Baroque.
Her paintings are characterized by a rich tapestry of floral and animal motifs, woven into an idealistic vision of the world. In her work, every character and element exists in a state of profound, harmonious interaction. Distinguished by meticulous attention to detail, Olga’s compositions often incorporate collage elements where the boundaries of reality are blurred, making the impossible possible.
Since 2001, Olga has participated in over 100 exhibitions and art festivals across the USA, Japan, Mexico, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Ukraine. Her works are held in prestigious private collections worldwide.
Based in Leiden, Netherlands.
Dua Lipa Tour Poster |
Collaboration with Kii Arens, USA
Dua Lipa Concert Poster | Collaboration with Kii Arens
2026/2018 — Dua Lipa Concert Poster | Collaboration with Kii Arens: Provided central artwork from the “Paradise” series for Dua Lipa’s concert poster. Featured as a key exhibit at Art Eindhoven, Klokgebouw (2026).
“Paradise”
150 x 200 cm, acrylic on canvas, 2016
Private collection of Krzysztof Gęsicki (Poland)
Camouflage
180x240 cm, acrylic on canvas, 2014 | Private collection of Andriy Fedoriv (Ukraine)
"The composition consists of fragmented elements, echoing the structural patterns of camouflage fabric. These fragments act as 'shards of memory'—
a conscious effort to preserve life's most beautiful moments. Within the context of war, the artwork serves as a spiritual talisman (obereh), protecting
the essence of peace through the power of memory."
The Tree of Life
As an independent curator, Olga Selyshcheva presented "The Tree of Life" — an international multidisciplinary project at the Embassy
of Ukraine in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The exhibition addresses the ruthless destruction of Ukraine’s ecosystems and the loss
of rare species due to the brutal war.
In Ukrainian culture, the "Tree of Life" is a profound ancient symbol that bridges heaven and earth, past and future. While Ukraine remains one of the most mined countries in the world, this project reminds us of life's invincible beauty and the enduring power of hope.
By connecting pagan roots with contemporary reality, the exhibition explores the tension between life and death, transforming a symbol
of heritage into a call for ecological and spiritual preservation.
This centerpiece of the series is a contemporary homage to the graphic heritage of Heorhiy Narbut, reflecting his mastery of line and symbolic composition. Rooted in ancient Ukrainian tradition, the "Tree of Life" serves as a profound personification of all living existence. It acts as a spiritual axis, bridging heaven and earth, while connecting the wisdom of the past with the possibilities of the future. Executed in mixed media on a grand scale of 100x140 cm, the work combines intricate detailing with a bold, modern vision of folk cosmology.
Pop-up Exhibition "Do not look back"
This project explores the inevitable transformation of the classical world view under the influence of the modern media environment and pop culture. The exhibition features a central painting complemented by a series
of objects, symbolizing the penetration of contemporary visual languages into traditional artistic narratives.
Choosing a unique, alternative space on one of Leiden’s main streets allowed for a direct dialogue between
the artwork and the urban community, supporting the idea that art should exist within the flow of modern life.
The Hunter
A series of paintings "The Hunter. The Night Watch" dedicated to the diverse nature of the Netherlands and the harmony contained in it.
Acrylic on canvas, 75x115 cm, 2020-2021
The painting "In the mood of love" acrylic on canvas, 70x100 cm, 2021.
"The still life with a secret” is a series of paintings dedicated to the influence of the media world on the perception of reality.
A cartoon character bursts into a classic still life, made in the manner of Dutch painting. The size of the painting 100x130 cm, 2021.
“Rubens and Simpson", the size of the painting 60x80 cm, 2021.
“The Impossible is possible", 60x100 cm, acrylic on canvas, 2020.
Art project "Sonia Delaunay je t’aime"
Art project "Sonia Delaunay je t’aime" was first presented in Paris in 2018. The exhibition of Ukrainian art and design was organized by Olga Ottenheijm as a curator at the Center for Culture and Information of the Embassy of Ukraine in Paris, is dedicated to the work of the exceptional Sonia Delaunay. Art direction and accessorize Olga Ottenheijm, photo by Valeriia Buchuk, Maksym Bilousov, models Lilia Petrenko, Elena Kazachkova, Uliana Bychenkova.
Series of drawings "Summer time"
The artist book “Identification“
The book tells the story of an artist who lived in a closed city. He wanted to run away from there and every night dug a tunnel.
In the process, he gets a lot of luminous clay and makes sculptures of orange rabbits,which became
part of his new exhibition. The largest sculpture he made was 2 meters high. The project was presented at the exhibition“Visual energy“
IM Kunsthaus Tacheles, Berlin, Germany (catalog), 2006.
Art residence in Normandy
Participation in an art residence in Normandy, during the month of 2021
a series of paintings was created inspired by the landscapes
and nature of France as well as images of modern visual culture.
CV
Olga Ottenheijm Selyshcheva Artist | Independent Curator Based in Leiden, the Netherlands | Born in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
EXHIBITION EXPERIENCE:
Since 2001, participated in over 100 exhibitions and festivals across the Netherlands, USA, France, Germany, Italy, Austria,
Denmark, Mexico, Poland, and Ukraine.
Solo Exhibitions: The Hague (2021, 2025), Leiden (2024), Kyiv (2012, 2016), Berlin (2009), Kharkiv (2001, 2009).
Museum Collections: The Danish Poster Museum (Aarhus, Denmark), Poster Museum Wilanów (Warsaw, Poland).
Private Collections: Andriy Fedoriv (Ukraine), Krzysztof Gęsicki (Poland), and collectors across the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.
Residencies: Art Residency in Normandy, France (2021).
ART BRAND STATUS:
Intellectual Property: All original designs and patterns are protected under European Union.
Trade Mark (EUTM) registration (Bulletin No. 2025/104, 06/06/2025).
ARTIST COLLABORATIONS:
2026/2018 — Dua Lipa Concert Poster | Collaboration with Kii Arens: Provided central artwork from the “Paradise” series for Dua Lipa’s concert poster. Featured as a key exhibit at Art Eindhoven, Klokgebouw (2026).
2025 — SmileyWorld Collaboration: Artistic fusion project with Smiley (TM & © 1971—2026). Featured at Brand Licensing Europe 2025, ExCeL London, UK.
2016–2023 — Editorial Illustrations: Featured in VOGUE UA, VOGUE PL, and Glamour Romania.
2021–2022 — Textile & Fashion Design: Custom fabric designs for Yulia Fashion House (USA), Do Not Look (Paris/Kyiv),
and Polina Veller (“Baroque Now” collection presented at Paris Design Week 2019).
CURATORIAL PROJECTS:
2024 — International exhibition “The Tree of Life” Embassy of Ukraine in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, The Hague.
2019 — International exhibition “Sonia Delaunay je t’aime” Cultural center of Ukraine, Paris, France.
2019 — International exhibition “USA US” American House, Kyiv, Ukraine.
AWARDS:
2019 — Best Social Book of the Year – Illustrations for “Petryk and Fountains” (Osnovy Publishing), Kyiv;
2016 — Golden Medal – Behance Portfolio Review, Kyiv;
2010 — Interactive art project “New Paradise”, collaboration with graphics designer Dirk Dassow (Berlin, Germany),
“International festival Non-Stop Media”, diploma, Kharkiv, Ukraine;
2008 — Art book, animations “Bear and Hare”, “International festival Non-Stop Media”, 1st prize, Kharkiv, Ukraine;
2006 — Flash animation contest “Demo-90” 1st prize in 3 nominations, Kharkiv, Ukraine;
2006 — Design Against Furs – International & European Round, 2nd Prize, Croatia.
2005 — Poster competition “Anti AIDS” 2nd Prize, Kharkiv, Ukraine.
EDUCATION:
2002 — 2008 Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts, Graphic design (master’s diploma).
2014 — IKEA Bauhaus Summer School “Sharing economy project”, studio of professor Ton Matton (The Netherlands)
and architect Alexander Römer (Germany), diploma, Dessau, Germany.
2021 — Makers Unite, Creative Lab, diploma, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
WORKSHOPS: Pavel Makov (Ukraine), Phil Risbek (USA), Niklaus Troxler (Switzerland).
MASTER CLASSES: Stefan Sagmeister (USA), Martin Woodley (Switzerland ), Jonathan Barnbrook (England).