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InspirationArt & Culture

Dark and erotic paintings by revered female street artists Miss Van and Olek

London's StolenSpace gallery will bring together two exhibitions of work by revered female street artists Miss Van and Olek this month.

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Via Creative Boom submission. All images courtesy of the artists and gallery.

Via Creative Boom submission. All images courtesy of the artists and gallery.

In gallery one, Miss Van will exhibit a new body of work entitled 'Glamorous Darkness'. While in gallery two, Olek will showcase never-seen-before photographic works and an installation entitled 'Let's not get caught, let's keep going'.

Miss Van maintains the signature aesthetic of her 'poupées' (dolls), yet evoking a darker poetic mood. Magical and dreamy, her muses pose in an ambient nature, singing or interacting with each other. They emerge from their loosely painted backgrounds like visions or dreams. The colours Miss Van has used in these paintings also adds to the dream-like quality, some bright and vivid, some softer, more natural. The masks are still the main elements, her characters are adorned with masquerade-style, animal-like masks, adding mystery and strength. Some with bird-like beaks almost like protection to their delicate features, a sharp contrast to their soft sensual curves.

With Olek's 'Let's Not Get Caught, Let's Keep Going' By Olek, it pays homage to Miss Van and focuses on the masks which appear in both their work. Although Olek has worked with masks herself in both her artworks and performances for years, she brings Miss Van's painted masks to life in crochet. Along with these new works, Olek will cover the gallery from floor to ceiling in her signature crochet.

Olek's exhibition title borrows itself from a Thelma and Louise film quote which reminds the artist of her friendship with Miss Van: "Vanessa truly is a person who you can steal horses with."

Woman with copper hair wearing a pink animal mask with pointed ears, her bare shoulders emerging from white feathered wings against a muted background, by Miss Van
Illustration by Miss Van of a stylised female figure with bright yellow hair, blue face mask and red feathered headdress against a softly painted watercolour background
A figure with a cat-like masked face wearing pink flowers, ornate blue beaded braids and sheer fabrics poses with another blonde figure against a soft, dreamlike background in Miss Van's painting style
Mannequin with pink and purple striped hair, gold sequinned eye mask and pink crocheted top against a backdrop of burgundy and pink lace patterns
Miss Van's painted poupée figure with magenta crocheted horns, bright orange hair, and an ornate masquerade-style mask against a textured grey background
Crocheted purple mask with long horns on a figure with bright orange hair and yellow crocheted wings, inspired by Miss Van's signature poupée aesthetic
Miss Van's painting from 'Glamorous Darkness' series shows a stylised figure with bright pink hair, dark mask and bird-like beak against a vibrant patterned orange and yellow background
Figure with vibrant crocheted headpiece in red, orange and blue, wearing purple striped fabric and yellow crocheted elements against a patterned crimson background
Mannequin figure wearing yellow wig, blue eye mask and black neck scarf against colourful patterned crocheted background, from Olek's exhibition at StolenSpace gallery
Stylised female figure with grey braided hair wearing a green crocheted mask and matching green hair covering, set against a damask patterned background
Olek's crocheted installation "Let's Not Get Caught, Let's Keep Going" featuring vibrant pink and purple flowers with colourful text, a woman posing against it for a photograph
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