Olivier Salvas is a distinguished artist, curator, educator, and arts advocate whose practice intersects arts education, contemporary culture, and social justice. Originally from Montreal, Quebec, Olivier’s artistic oeuvre spans abstract painting, photography, and mixed media, thoughtfully addressing social causes and igniting dialogue around identity. Deeply influenced by urban culture, graffiti, and street art, his creative process begins with a subject that resonates on a personal and cultural level. From there, Olivier develops a narrative featuring a central character whose perspective guides the work’s conceptual direction. This exploration often culminates in collaboration with photographers and other creatives, resulting in immersive visual narratives that shape both his artistic approach and messaging.
Recognized for his contributions to the arts, Olivier was selected as an ambassador for Canadian Culture Days in 2019, representing British Columbia. That same year, he presented his first solo exhibition, Rebel with a Cause, in Vancouver. In 2021, he unveiled Flamboyant, a vibrant series of abstract paintings celebrating self-acceptance and positivity. The collection’s standout work, Sometimes I Paint Just for Fun, received First Prize from the Federation of Canadian Artists.
Over the years, Olivier has continued to build a national exhibition presence through juried and curated shows across Canada. Recent exhibitions include Abstracted, On the Edge, and AIRE, reflecting the growing recognition of his contemporary abstract practice. Alongside his work as an exhibiting artist, Olivier has expanded his role as an arts adjudicator and juror, serving on exhibition panels and acting as a judge for the Winter 2026 Exhibition.
Olivier’s collaborative projects reflect his longstanding commitment to education, community engagement, and environmental stewardship. Since 2015, he has contributed to public art and educational initiatives that connect young people with contemporary artistic practices. His work has also included participation in projects supporting ocean literacy, sustainability, and intercultural dialogue, bringing together artists, educators, and community leaders around shared social and environmental goals.
His multidisciplinary approach extends beyond the gallery through work in fashion, media, curation, and public programming. Olivier has contributed as a columnist for Radio-Canada and has facilitated artist talks, panel discussions, workshops, and exhibitions that amplify diverse creative voices. Since 2022, he has curated exhibitions featuring Canadian artists through major conferences and community initiatives, while continuing to mentor and support emerging artists through workshops and cultural programming.
In 2026, Olivier launches The 90s, an immersive and highly anticipated collection exploring memory, colour, visibility, energy, joy, and pride. Blending contemporary pop influences with themes of nostalgia and collective experience, the project invites audiences into a vibrant world where personal and collective memories intersect. Representing a significant evolution in his artistic practice, The 90s stands among Olivier’s most ambitious bodies of work to date.
EXHIBITIONS
2026
The 90s - Solo Exhibition - Bean Hastings Gallery
Mary Young Centre - Whistler, BC
Blue Show - Solo Exhibition - 401 W Georgia, Vancouver, BC.
Purple Show - Slide of Life Gallery
AIRE, Federation Gallery
Artists in Montreal - Juror - Winter Exhibition
Abstracted, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
Permanent Artist & representation, Nomad Gallery, White Rock, BC
Permanent Artist & representation, Nikitin Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Permanent Artist & representation, Lost Lagoon Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2025
Permanent Artist & representation, Nomad Gallery, White Rock, BC
Sabbya - Permanent Exhibition, Montreal, QC
Montreal World Trade Centre - Solo Exhibition, Montreal, QC
Le parcours des tours Gallea - Montreal, QC
PARADOX - Solo Exhibition Bean Hastings Gallery
On The Edge, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
Small Exhibition, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
Abstracted, Federation Gallery, Vancouver BC
ART SALON Collective, Federation Studios, Vancouver, BC
2024
July 2024-November 2024 Hidden Escapes: Art of the Inner Child - Vancouver, BC
2023
October 2023 - January 2024 - DISCO NAP - Solo Show - Vancouver, BC
2021
October 2021 - Outsiders Arts Festival - Vancouver, BC
June 2021 - Queer Arts Festival Vancouver,BC
June 2021 - Pride & Arts, Federation Gallery, Vancouver
June 2021-September 2021 Montreal Pride Society - Outdoor Exhibition
June - September 2021 - Workshop facilitator- Community Arts Vancouver
January. - September 2021 - We Are Ocean with Cease Wyss - Vancouver Biennale / Artport_making Waves
2020
July - December 2020 - We Are Ocean with Cease Wyss - Vancouver Biennale / Artport_making Waves
October 2020 - Outsiders Arts Festival - Vancouver, BC - Virtual
June 2020 - Queer Arts Festival Vancouver, BC - Virtual
April 2020 - There’s An Elephant in the Room show - Virtual
2019
November 2019 - UNITY collection launch + candle collaboration with You+Me Candles
September - November 2019 Rebel with a Cause - Solo Show - Le Centre Culturel Vancouver, BC
September 2019 - Rebel with a cause workshops
June - September 2019- BC Culture ambassador
March 2019 - Group Exhibition Galerie Patrick Mikhail, Montreal
July - September 2023 - The Flamboyance Salon - Solo Show - Vancouver, BC
November 2023 - Welcome to my House - BCNPHA Exhibition - Vancouver, BC
October 2023 - Solo Show - ART Vancouver - Art at Bentall Vancouver, BC
November - December 2023: Anonymous Art Show, North Vancouver Arts
December 2023: Ten Squared 2023 - Federation Gallery, Vancouver
November 2023: ArtSpeaks - Federation Gallery, Vancouver
September 2023: Abstracted 2023. - Federation Gallery, Vancouver
February 2023: Shape & Form – Federation Gallery, Vancouver
January - March 2023 - The Enchanted Garden 2.0 - Solo Show - Vancouver, BC
January 2023- August 2023 - Permanent artist at Galerie Lenoir Montreal-Paris
2022
December 2022 - Ten Squared Show, Federation Gallery, Vancouver
November 2022 - Together - BCNPHA Exhibition - Vancouver, BC
October 2022 - Outsiders Arts Festival - Vancouver, BC
October 2022 - Call Me Mother TV Show - Outtv - Designer for Justin Abit (Artfashion)
July 2022 - Pride & Arts, Federation Gallery, Vancouver
July 2022 - FLAMBOYANT. - One Month solo Residency at Federation Gallery
July 2022 - December 2022 - The Enchanted Garden - Solo Show - Vancouver, BC
June 2022 - September 2022 Montreal Pride Festival Outdoor Exhibition , Montreal
June - September 2022 - Workshop facilitator- Community Arts Vancouver, BC
May 2022 - Spotlight, Federation Gallery, Vancouver
April 2022 - Opening - Artfashion Boutique
April 2022 - We Are Ocean at Venice Biennale
March 2022 - Bloom, Winnipeg Art Gallery
March 2022 - April 2022 - CORE - Show with Meg J - Vancouver, BC
February 2022 - Small Exhibition, Federation Gallery, Vancouver
January 2022 Winter Solstice, The Gallery George, Vancouver
January 2022 - Polarity - Show with Min Xu - Vancouver BC
January 2022- December 2022: Permanent Show - The Hallway, Victoria BC
January 2022- June 2022 - Show Me Your Colours - Lost Lagoon Gallery
January 2022- December 2022 - Permanent artist at Galerie Lenoir Montreal-Paris
PRESS MEMBERSHIPS
Active Member - Federation of Canadian Artists
Member of Arts BC
Member of CARFAC.