"(...) I make paintings that are often just domestic scenes or mimic the everydayness of othering. (...) But also, I like using infographic language in order to draw attention to the colours I am using and how it relates to race and othering." – Olivia Sterling
Olivia Sterling (b. 1996, Peterborough, United Kingdom) is a British artist living and working in London. A graduate of the University of Derby and the Royal College of Art, Sterling explores the politics of representation and cultural identity through vibrant, narrative-driven paintings. Her bold compositions, often infused with humor and symbolism, probe questions of race, class, and belonging, transforming everyday scenes into layered commentaries on contemporary life. Sterling’s work has been shown widely, including her institutional debut Episodes at CCA Goldsmiths (London, 2021), a solo exhibition at Meyer Riegger (Berlin, 2022), and major group shows such as Conversations at Walker Art Gallery (Liverpool, 2024–25) and I’m Not Afraid of Ghosts at Palazzo Tiepolo Passi (Venice, 2024).
Olivia Sterling’s process fuses satire and precision, using vibrant color fields and cartoonish imagery to probe race, class, and cultural identity. She layers visual codes that echo systems of categorization, turning domestic motifs and nostalgic symbols into sharp social commentary. Through this playful yet meticulous approach, Sterling creates paintings that seduce with humor while exposing the quiet violence of everyday prejudice.
Sweetness Itself, 2024
Courtesy of the artist
Chocolate Fingers, 2024
Courtesy of the artist
Snake Amongst Dinner Plates, 2021
Courtesy of the artist
Dolce del giorno, 2024
Courtesy of the artist
