Oli Sain
Oli Sain is a multidisciplinary contemporary artist based between Melbourne and Canberra, whose work spans
sculpture, installation, and mixed media. His practice explores themes of nostalgia, identity, and conflict, often drawing from
the vibrant pop culture of his childhood. Through this lens, Sain investigates the tension between innocence and violence, memory and critique.
A central focus of his work is the symbolism of weaponry and
its entanglement with childhood play. His ongoing collection Porcelain-Ammunition examines how society normalises violence from a young age. His message of turning toys into
tools of mimicry, critiques the global arms trade, where cultural heritage is often exchanged for instruments of war.
For Sain, conflict is not just about destruction but the suppression of creativity, beauty, and innovation.
Sain's entry into the art world began in the music industry, designing album covers for emerging artists. His early work includes covers for musicians like Murray Cook (The Wiggles)
and contributing to the 2023 Barbie movie soundtrack CD. He also worked across various merchandise formats including CDs, vinyls, and cassettes, experiences that shaped his understanding of art’s connective power.
Now focused fully on his own artistic practice, Sain blends
traditional craftsmanship with conceptual rigor. His work engages deeply with social and political issues, reflecting the
interdisciplinary and critical nature of contemporary art. With empathy and curiosity, he invites audiences to confront
uncomfortable truths and reconsider how memory, play, and power shape our understanding of the world.