New Exhibition by International Artist Rebecca Olsen Opens at Hunt Gallery

International artist Rebecca Olsen's new exhibition, “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” visually addresses themes of infinity and asks existential questions about the nature of reality, the infinite nature of the universe, and perception. The exhibition opens with a public artist reception at Webster University’s Hunt Gallery on Friday, November 22, from 5:30 - 8p.m. The Hunt Gallery is located at 8342 Big Bend Blvd.

Born in Florence, Italy, to American artists, Olsen is president and co-founder of the Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA), one of Florence's most notable private art schools hosting students and faculty from all over the globe. Olsen's father, Dennis Olsen, who co-founded SRISA, was a native St. Louisan and an artist. As such, Rebecca Olsen still maintains close ties here.

In her work, Rebecca Olsen creates symbols and uses geometric forms to translate myths and discuss what existence feels like. Through her creative lens, she contemplates significant scientific discoveries, psychology, the meaning of life, chaos theory, climate change, and the nature of power. At the heart of this exhibition is the desire to create an immersive space filled with ideas. She develops this visual language, creating a formal landscape for the ideas to dialog.

Rebecca Olsen presents an installation featuring diverse media, including painting, collage, sculpture, video, and sound for this exhibition. The exhibition title “Everything Everywhere All at Once” references the 2022 film of the same name and reflects her intention to explore themes of neurodiversity and multidimensional thinking. 

Rebecca Olsen has shown her work internationally, with gallery representation in Berlin, for her visual art, and she sells her wearable art at the Whitney Museum store. 

The exhibition will remain open until January 17, 2025, and is co-curated by Jeffrey Hughes, professor of Art History and director of Hunt Gallery, and Terri F. Reilly, both in the Department of Art, Design, and Art History at Webster University.

In explaining her exhibit, Rebecca Olsen wrote:

"From the outset, I fully immersed myself by moving beyond my previous visual and conceptual frameworks. I aimed to discover a synthesis driven by curiosity, using formal boundaries to ground my work and ideas. These parameters were familiar; I had previously incorporated the grid, large paintings, and symbols in my work. But now, figurative elements emerged. My visual research reflects this process through photography, but I needed more range for the ideas I wanted to examine. By incorporating new materials, I could express these concepts more effectively. I devoted equal time to contemplation and creation—a shift from my past approach. The act of making informed my research and vice versa, creating a cyclical relationship between thought and production. Connections appeared through juxtapositions that sparked curiosity, resulting in new works and discussions, both visually and conceptually. My ideas broadened, welcomed by an open mindset. I discovered more links within the pieces, with metaphors emerging to unite them. The work exists in a continual state of evolution, and I believe it will continue to generate meaning and connections after the exhibition opens. My dynamic and ever-changing process has led me to new ideas and visual opportunities."

The Cecille R. Hunt Gallery is an integral part of the educational mission of the Webster University Art Department and an important and visible aspect of its community outreach. The Hunt Gallery is a non-commercial, alternative venue that provides high-quality, professionally curated contemporary art exhibitions for the academic community and the broader St. Louis public. Hunt Gallery presents exhibitions of individual artists and groups of artists of regional, national, and international renown whose works demonstrate significant aesthetic achievement or historic importance. 

CECILLE R. HUNT GALLERY 
Visual Arts Studio 
Webster University 
8342 Big Bend Boulevard 
St. Louis, Missouri, 63119 
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. or by appointment 

For more information, call 314-246-7957.