From the archives: Olga Radionova sculpts softness and strength

Show Notes

Takeaways from this episode:

• Materials carry memory and potential. Olga’s deep respect for wood and its history – from 125-year-old trees to discarded offcuts – guides her process of revealing, rather than altering, the soul of a material. “Sometimes you just need to clean it and let it be itself.”

• Creativity is a dialogue with the unknown. Olga rarely begins with a fixed outcome. Whether sculpting with bronze or soft filler, she follows the material’s lead, embracing intuition and experimentation to shape each piece. “The material gives you all the necessary understanding.”

• Art can be a form of resistance and renewal. In response to war, Olga transforms remnants of weaponry into floral sculptures – a quiet but profound act of healing and defiance. “This is my contribution to peace. I want to create less of war, and more of life.”

• The making process is sacred. From sanding wood to sewing hundreds of tiny soft forms, Olga finds joy and meaning in the labour of artmaking. "I enjoy the process very much – I feel like I’m falling in love with each piece.”

• Imagination is a powerful connector. Whether viewers see alien forms, sea creatures, or emotional landscapes, Olga invites personal interpretations. Her work sparks wonder and curiosity, offering viewers their own entry point into an imaginary world.
  

During the live interview, we shared some images of Olga’s artwork. Since you’re listening to the podcast version, we’ve made these images available for you below. 

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Explore the artwork from this episode:

During the live interview, we shared some images of Olga’s artwork. Since you’re listening to the podcast version, we’ve made these images available for you below.