OLIVIA D'ABOVILLE

ARTIST

INSPIRED BY UNDERWATER AND AQUATIC WONDERS, THE YOUNG FRENCH-FILIPINO ARTISTE OLIVIA D’ABOVILLE’S BREATH-TAKING WORK MESMERIZES AND ENTHUSES THOSE WHO HAVE SEEN IT. A graduate with honours from Duperré, a prestigious Textile Design school in Paris in 2009, Olivia specializes in tapestry and textile structures as well as light installations; she adapts various techniques to create her own woven forms.

For Olivia D’aboville, it was a natural inclination to achieve a global point-of-view given her Eurasian origins. Being brought up by two different cultures, her influences and work clearly define who she is as a person. Now, with social media and the internet, crossing the borders of one’s country doesn’t necessarily mean leaving home. As an artist, Olivia finds it hugely significant to be visible on the net. To be global, for Olivia, is to be aware of what’s happening around the world, and in her case, knowing what exhibitions are being held.

Working closely with pioneers of the first international music and arts festivals in the country (Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival and Manila Music Festival), Olivia is determined to promote the country through her craft.

“It was so evident how creating these kinds of events would help the Philippines’ music scene and tourism industry. The potential was so huge because the country’s potential is so huge. We have amazing locations and music is in the people’s blood so it just made perfect sense,” Olivia explains.

This month, Olivia will be heading off to Paris to work on big projects. She will experience a completely new setting working with the French Federation of Fashion. She will also be competing against talented artists from all over the world.

Bending spoons and stirrers to create luminous coral-like spheres, Olivia d’Aboville has partnered with the World Wildlife Fund to get plastics out of the ocean. After all, these nonbiodegradables should only be in her art.—CT