After a hectic spell of work, and the inability to update the blog, I can inform all my friends and clients, that I am currently embarked on a new project preparing work for an exhibition to be held towards the last quarter of 08.  More information and regular updates will follow soon.

The mural by David Oliva for the Watermargin restaurant in Ocean Village is already on display at the popular classy Chinese restaurant that opened recently.

En la III edicion de obras de pequeño formato de la Galeria Tuset, www.gtuset.com se encuentran una buena coleccion de obras a cargo de una mezcla de artistas noveles combinados con otros nombres consagrados.

Cabe resaltar la obra del joven Marc Jesus y el mas veterano Andreu Martro, ambos estilos y conceptos muy diferentes pero igualmente interesantes y de buena tecnica.  Obras ciertamente con encanto y romanticismo.

David Oliva

As part of the efforts to promote his work in the North of Spain, David has been visiting Galleries in Barcelona.  Another particularly interesting one is Galeria Tuset, in Carrer Muntaner 187.  Well worth a visit.

www.gtuset.com

Nadie va a descubrir ahora la belleza que tiene Barcelona en su gran ciudad.  Por supuesto nadie va a descubrir tampoco la multitud de arte que florece en cada esquina, en cada plaza, en cada rincon de la Ciutat Condal.  Lo que es cierto es que las numerosas Galerias que se encuentran entra Carrer Arago, Balmes y Passeig de Gracia ofrecen una multitud de estilos y ofertas para todos los gustos.  Una de particular interes es la galeria www.oleosgaleria.com que dirige D. Francisco Martinez Chabrera.

David Oliva, contactara proximamente con algunas de estas galerias para intentar exponer su arte alli y extender las posibilidades de llevar el arte del Sur al Norte.

The Art scene in London is anxiously awaiting a decision on what will form part of the plynth at Trafalgar Square.  Well known contemporaries have submitted their proposals and a decision is imminent.

The year just started promises to be full of work, projects and plans that will see the light of day slowly but surely.  A joint exhibition with Gibraltar Photographer - Alex Zapata will see David Oliva offering a new concept in joint oil painting and photographic exhibitions.  This is planned for the early part of the year and should see the two artists exhibiting not just in Gibraltar but further afield.  

In the meantime it is down to work and further planning to ensure the quality produced is of the highest standards.  As David Oliva stated, "I am an enthusiast of Alex Zapata's photography, he continues to produce work of a calibre that never falters and will certainly prove exciting with our joint exhibition.  In addition to this I am also immersed in a new ambitious project which will hopefully bear fruit before the end of the year".

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL VISITORS TO ARTOLIVA.COM

FELIZ 2008 A TODOS LOS QUE VISITAN ARTOLIVA.COM

A new section on the latest work completed by David Oliva has now been included in the site.  The Gallery has also been updated. We hope you enjoy this and will check from time to time to view new work by the artist.

David Oliva is currently working on his new concept for an art exhibition he is hoping to open in the early part of 2008.  Together with a Gibraltarian photographer discussions and preliminary work have already begun.  Wanting to keep the exhibition theme still a closely guarded secret he states "this exhibition will be an innovative and fresh approach that combines both art forms, painting and photography."

El pintor local, Gino Sanguinetti inauguro hoy una exposicion en la galeria de arte de Gibraltar en Casemates Square.  Las obras realizadas entre el 2006-7 incluyen oleos y acrilicos, con una mezcla de estilos que varian entre el romanticismo y el abstracto.

The super traditional art event that takes place in London every year starts from the early hours of Saturday morning.  With some art collecting hopefuls trying to be the first in line for a chance to pick up a unique piece of contemporary art for only 40 pounds, camping tents have been outside the Royal College of Art for several days.

A maximum of 4 pieces of art may be purchased and nobody knows the author of the work until after they have handed in the cash and turned the postcard-size work over.

This year as in previous editions well known artists such as Damien Hirst, Paula Rego, Sir Paul Smith and Yoko Ono have contributed their art to the cause, that enables raising funds for the student scholarships at the college.  David Oliva is in London and queing up already.

Last minute preparations are now well underway for the exhibition of paintings by Gibraltar artists at the El Minzah Hotel in Morocco, as part of a conference bringing together the work carried out by the different organisations involved in the project.

The cultural youth programme carried out by the Gibraltar Youth Service and the JM Memorial Foundation which has been established since the first visit in 1985 as part of the International Youth Year celebrations has grown from strength to strength and thanks to European Union funding made available this year, as part of the Interreg IIIA 2000 to 2006 initiative, a focused programme of events have been taking place and continue right through to the end of November of this year culminating in the conference in Tangier at the El Minzah Hotel.

'It is hoped that these encounters will serve to further cement the links between two communities with much in common,' said Mark Montovio who together with Jaime Felices is responsible for the organisation and delivery of the European Union funded project. 'The culmination of this last year and a half cannot be considered, and indeed is not the end, once the conference is over. We are certain that many will see the value of the work that has taken place now for many years and will want to find ways to contribute or to develop further links for the benefit of the two communities in  question.

The conference will open on Friday evening with the official viewing of a painting exhibition by young and new up and coming artists including Andrew Featherstone, David Oliva, Mark Baglietto, Diana Gaskin, Luisa Artesani, Glen Wimbleton, Alfred Celecia and Elena Scialtiel. This will be followed by a musical performance at the hands of Adrian Pisarello and the EC band and Michelle Tewkesbury. Dancers from Mediterranean Dance Group will also be taking part together with Genyka Celecia who will be flying in especially from the United Kingdom especially for the event.

The conference will begin on Saturday with a variety of speakers.

Una exposicion de pintura a cargo de pintores de Gibraltar tendra lugar en Tanger a finales de mes.  La exposicion se celebrara en el Hotel El Minzah, en Tanger, Marruecos.  David Oliva participara en la exposicion colectiva con dos de sus obras, "Orangefest" y "Sun" que pueden ser vistas en la galeria de esta web www.artoliva.com

The 34th Edition of the International Art Exhibition - Gibraltar, starts tomorrow evening.  The exhibition will be open to the public at the Casemates Galleries as from Wednesday 7th November and will be open till the 16th of November.

Over 200 artists have entered their work for the exhibition/competition and David Oliva has submitted two oil paintings. " The Lookout" and "Cheney behind the Bush".

An international adjudicator from the UK will judge the three main prizes.

Entrance is free. 

A new temporary exhibition space was inaugurated last night in Gibraltar.  On the corner of Bishop Rapallo's ramp and the Gibraltar Heights building, the new venue for exhibitions was opened with paintings by Willa Vasquez and her two sisters, Bathsheba and Jane.  Though small in size the room is well lit and within a step of main street.  Willa continues to prove she is the most technically talented artist in Gibraltar and her pleasant and colourful works never cease to cause admiration and enjoyment from those who follow her work.

Fallecio Juan Antonio Cebrian el sabado.  De un misero infarto repentino y cruel.  Periodista, escritor y director de La Rosa de los Vientos. Un tipo genial y amable.  Grandisimo comunicador.  Gracias por todo.  Fuerza y Honor.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Obituary - Juan Antonio Cebrian - Radio Journalist and Writer

La pagina www.artoliva.com ha sido actualizada y se ha incorporado textos y titulos en Castellano ademas del Ingles.  Esperamos que de esta forma disfruten mas personas de nuestra web.

David Oliva continues to promote his paintings online and is hoping to set up an online shopping cart so that visitors to artoliva.com can purchase the paintings.  More details soon.

The Gibraltar International Art Festival takes place in November.  This time round the works accepted, will be displayed at the Gallery in Casemates.  David Oliva is already working on some ideas which he hopes to develop to make up his two submissions to the Art Competition, which traditionally sees a high profile visiting judge that decides on the winners.

The RCA secret, a traditional contemporary art event which sees well known artists, celebrities and art graduates donating postcard size paintings/photographs to raise money for art students will be held from the 16th -24th November 2007 at the Royal College of Art in London.  Past editions have had Turner prize winners contributing as well as many well known designers, artists and painters. David Oliva will be attending as in previous years.  More information on www.artoliva.com soon. 

Llueve en Madrid, hasta cierto punto ha fastidiado "La Noche en Blanco".  Algunos espectaculos han sido cancelados, de hecho varios, la gente busca cobijo en cualquier parte, pero los restaurantes estan repletos, lor bares tambien, no hay donde meterse.  La opcion ir a uno de los museos que estan abiertos, pero Dios!!! una hora y media de cola esperando, nanay.  Me largo al hotel. 

Este relato podia haber sido la culminacion de un viaje algo desastroso, si no es por el hecho, que ocurrio ayer.  Hoy es domingo, y afortunadamente todo vuelve a la normalidad, El Prado esta abierto hoy ademas gratis como todos los domingos.  Patinir una exposicion especial es muy especial, El "creador" de los primeros paisajes - Landscapes, luego un buen arroz, en una arroceria de Madrid, Arroz negro para ser exacto.  Luego a los postres El Thyssen Bornemisza, que gozada VIVA MADRID!!!Pero Madrid el normal y habitual, el millon de personas que intentaron disfrutar en la noche en blanco, pues les sugiero que vuelvan otro dia cualquiera!

Un Saludo

David Oliva

On Saturday, La Noche Blanca will take place in the main art institutions and the city centre of the Spanish Capital.  It promises to be an exciting, colourful and special all niter.  Over 150 events will take place simultaneously with contemporary art, music, shows and culture being featured. 

Meanwhile preparations are also underway in London for the forthcoming RCA secret, a traditional art event which sees well known artists, celebrities and art graduates donating postcard size works to raise money for art students.  More details on the RCA secret soon on www.artoliva.com.  David Oliva promises to go to this event as he has done in the past.

"La Noche Blanca" in Madrid will take place on the 22nd September from 9.00pm till 8.00am of the 23rd.

Throughout the night, a string of Artistic, Cultural and Social events will be available many of them free of charge to the thousands of visitors that flock to Madrid every year for this special event, and which is coordinated with other major European cities.

El Prado and the Thyssen Bornemisza - of the glamorous Tita Cervera, of "No a la tala fame!!!" and a host of other museums will open their doors to show off the vast treasures of art, paintings, sculpture and beautiful artifacts available in the impressive environment of Madrid la nuit.  Dozens of other shows, and spectacular street performances will also take place not just in the well known Triangulo del arte but also all over Madrid's city centre, including a special show just outside the Bernabeu stadium

David is hoping to visit the event this year and seek further inspiration for his work.

More information on the event will follow soon.

Jose Angel Cadelo, a published writer from Spain has submitted a critique of David's work.  This can be found on a special section which has been created and which we hope to develop with time.  Artists will be able to post their articles and comments on art related matters.

David took part in an outdoor painting experience in Ubrique (Cadiz), organised by Cuatro Esquinas. On this the sixth edition over 100 artists took part in what was an event of a very high calibre of painters and exquisite organisation.  The event which started at 10am went on till 5pm.

Further details available on http://lascuatroesquinas.blogspot.com

The mural for the Watermargin, the luxury Asian Restaurant in Ocean Village continues to gather momentum and David is already busy preparing a second part to the painting after the first one was approved by the owners of the restaurant.   

The first part of the mural which will decorate a new luxury restaurant to be opened towards the end of the year at Gibraltar's Ocean Village has now been finalised.  David has been working on several ideas over the past couple of weeks and is now satisfied with the finished product with his 100cmx100cm creation on canvas.  "There are still further canvasses to be painted and they will be combined to form the image of the mural within the Watermargin Restaurant." Added David Oliva.

A leading businessman from Gibraltar has requested a painting from David.  Following the success and popularity of his most recent exhibition, a Gibraltarian Hindu trader has commissioned David to create a contemporary oil painting to add to his collection.

More details soon.

The blank canvas placed at the recent Exhibition at the John Mackintosh Hall can now be seen on this site.  The painting has also been photographed and will be published in the Gibraltar Chronicle next week.  Check to see if your name is there!!! That is if you painted when you visited.

Thanks to all who visited and those who took part in this painting.

David

Following on from the exhibition in Gibraltar and the interest shown by several visitors, David will begin a new series of paintings focusing on Gibraltar themes with a difference.  In addition to this, there are plans to exhibit in Spain and the UK with several invitations currently being considered.

"On Monday new materials will be sought and some experimental techniques will be tested.  Texture is an area I want to develop further." adds David.

Wednesday 19th July, saw the end of the exhibition of paintings at the John Mackintosh Hall, after it had been extended by several days.  It proved popular and stimulating, both to the artist and the visitors, particularly to many budding artists, who perhaps felt they were not ready to put their work on show yet.  As David put it after the exhibition, "If I have managed to stimulate at least one person to take up painting, or to continue painting and maybe even consider exhibiting their work, my mission will have been accomplished this time round.  I am grateful to staff at the Mackintosh Hall for their assistance and to visitors, friends and family and the media for their encouragement and positive comments."

The Exhibition is currently underway at the John Mackintosh Hall, in Gibraltar.  It has been very well received by the media, the local artists that have visited have also been very positive and complimentary.  These included, Mario Finlayson, Paco Jurado, Willa Vasquez, Ambrose Avellano, Doris Gafan, Gino Sanguinetti and Miriam Parody-Porro. 

The general public has also been generous with their comments, and some of these will be published within the website in the few days.  A visitor's book has been available throughout the exhibition.  On Wednesday the exhibition will come to an end, having been extended several more days by popular demand.

The Exhibition opens tomorrow after several months of preparation.  On Friday, with the help of Felipe Mosca, I hung the work into categories.  There are 22 paintings in total in this exhibition.  The Gibraltar Chronicle has publicised the event within its Diary of Events for over a week, and in fact published several paintings on Friday and Saturday, announcing the exhibition.   

The artoliva.com website will be developing over the next few days.  Photographs of David's paintings will be uploaded shortly.

Your comments will be welcome. Please use our Forum space for this.