Lot #51: James Olly (Canadian, b. 1970s) – "Abstract Landscape," 2005

James Olly (Canadian, b. 1970s) – "Abstract Landscape," 2005 An Exceptional, Heavily Textured Early Masterpiece in Encaustic Wax Artist: James Olly (MFA, University of Waterloo; BFA, NSCAD University) Title: Untitled (Abstract Landscape) Date: 2005 Medium: Encaustic (pigmented beeswax) on canvas over a heavy-duty wooden stretcher frame Dimensions: 27.5" x 19.5" (69.9 cm x 49.5 cm) Signature: Hand-signed and dated "James Olly 2005" in ink on the reverse canvas back Provenance: Private Collection; verified directly by signature and construction style Condition: Excellent original condition with beautifully preserved wax peaks, natural surface textures, and minimal age-related wear. Features professional hanging wire and D-rings. Overview & Artistic Merit This striking 2005 work is a prime, early-career example of James Olly's meticulous exploration of texture, movement, and physical mass. Created while the artist was solidifying his signature voice in the Canadian contemporary art scene, this piece bridges his early structural urban-scapes with a raw, geometric approach to natural horizons. Measuring an impressive 27.5" x 19.5", the composition is split by a razor-sharp, angular horizon line that commands the lower third of the canvas in a deeply rich, matte crimson. Above it sits an incredibly thick, volcanic topography of molten beeswax. Here, Olly masterfully fuses tones of seafoam green, burnt amber, pale pinks, and sky blue. The physical weight of the encaustic medium mimics natural geological layers, creating an immersive, tactile experience that shifts dynamically depending on the angle of the light. About the Artist: James Olly James Olly is a highly regarded contemporary Canadian painter and academic known for his deeply expressive, heavily textured style. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the historic NSCAD University in Halifax and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Waterloo (2008). Olly later served as an Assistant Professor in the Fine Arts Department at OCAD University in Toronto, directly shaping the next generation of Canadian painters. Olly's practice explores the fluid potential and physical boundaries of paint, regularly pushing mediums to their structural limits. His work has been exhibited extensively in solo and group exhibitions throughout Canada, the United States, Scotland, the Netherlands, and Japan. Notably, his paintings are held in prominent corporate and public institutions, including the Colart Collection (Montreal) and Cenovus Energy (Edmonton). He is the recipient of prestigious emerging artist grants from both the Toronto Arts Council and the Ontario Arts Council, alongside a highly selective residency at the Vermont Studio Center. Collector's Note Early encaustic works by James Olly are rarely offered on the open market. Because encaustic wax requires incredible precision and physical mastery to manipulate before cooling, this piece stands as a testament to Olly's technical brilliance. Complete with a fully verified signature and beautifully preserved reverse-canvas seepage showing its authentic creation process, this represents a stellar acquisition for serious collectors of contemporary Canadian abstraction. Nearest intersection Yonge Street and Steeles Avenue Dimensions: 27.5" x 19.5" (69.9 cm x 49.5 cm) Pickup category timeslot {A}