Olana Light is a multidisciplinary artist based in Hampshire. Her practice moves between sculpture, performance, photography and the moving image. Her ongoing exploration of finding a sense of belonging and discovering her place in the world leads her to realise that we are an integral part of nature. This idea of unity with nature is central to her work.
In Like a Butterfly, Olana’s exploration of metamorphosis through wearable caterpillar and butterfly sculptures made from natural materials(reindeer moss) reflects psychological transformation and a new identity. She sees the butterfly as a metaphor for personal growth and change.
The Birch Tree Family is a site-specific project exhibited at Sir Harold Hillier Garden as part of the CAS Emerging Sculptors Award. This project explores the deep bond between women, nature, and the environment, symbolized by the birch tree’s renewal and transformative potential. Olana’s performances as a Birch tree living sculpture signify a return to nature, evoking both whimsical joy and a reminder of our interconnectedness with the environment.
Searching for a Place to Belong examines women’s relationships with nature, the environment, and what it means to be part of it. Inspired by the landscape and its elements, the project reflects the profound influence of surroundings on identity and belonging. Olana’s continued exploration of finding a sense of belonging and discovering her place in the world has led her to realize that women are an integral part of nature. This idea of unity with nature is central to her work.
