International artist Rebecca Olsen’s new exhibition, “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” visually addresses themes of
infinity and asks existential questions about the nature of reality, the infinite
nature of the universe, and perception. The exhibition opens with a public artist
reception at Webster University’s Hunt Gallery on Friday, November 22, from 5:30 – 8p.m. The Hunt Gallery is located at 8342 Big Bend Blvd.
Born in Florence, Italy, to American artists, Olsen is president and co-founder of
the Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA), one of Florence’s most notable private art schools hosting students and
faculty from all over the globe. Olsen’s father, Dennis Olsen, who co-founded SRISA,
was a native St. Louisan and an artist. As such, Rebecca Olsen still maintains close
ties here.
In her work, Rebecca Olsen creates symbols and uses geometric forms to translate myths
and discuss what existence feels like. Through her creative lens, she contemplates
significant scientific discoveries, psychology, the meaning of life, chaos theory,
climate change, and the nature of power. At the heart of this exhibition is the desire
to create an immersive space filled with ideas. She develops this visual language,
creating a formal landscape for the ideas to dialog.
Rebecca Olsen presents an installation featuring diverse media, including painting,
collage, sculpture, video, and sound for this exhibition. The exhibition title “Everything
Everywhere All at Once” references the 2022 film of the same name and reflects her
intention to explore themes of neurodiversity and multidimensional thinking.
Rebecca Olsen has shown her work internationally, with gallery representation in Berlin,
for her visual art, and she sells her wearable art at the Whitney Museum store.
The exhibition will remain open until January 17, 2025, and is co-curated by Jeffrey
Hughes, professor of Art History and director of Hunt Gallery, and Terri F. Reilly,
both in the Department of Art, Design, and Art History at Webster University.
In explaining her exhibit, Rebecca Olsen wrote:
“From the outset, I fully immersed myself by moving beyond my previous visual and
conceptual frameworks. I aimed to discover a synthesis driven by curiosity, using
formal boundaries to ground my work and ideas. These parameters were familiar; I had
previously incorporated the grid, large paintings, and symbols in my work. But now,
figurative elements emerged. My visual research reflects this process through photography,
but I needed more range for the ideas I wanted to examine. By incorporating new materials,
I could express these concepts more effectively. I devoted equal time to contemplation
and creation—a shift from my past approach. The act of making informed my research
and vice versa, creating a cyclical relationship between thought and production. Connections
appeared through juxtapositions that sparked curiosity, resulting in new works and
discussions, both visually and conceptually. My ideas broadened, welcomed by an open
mindset. I discovered more links within the pieces, with metaphors emerging to unite
them. The work exists in a continual state of evolution, and I believe it will continue
to generate meaning and connections after the exhibition opens. My dynamic and ever-changing
process has led me to new ideas and visual opportunities.”
The Cecille R. Hunt Gallery is an integral part of the educational mission of the
Webster University Art Department and an important and visible aspect of its community
outreach. The Hunt Gallery is a non-commercial, alternative venue that provides high-quality,
professionally curated contemporary art exhibitions for the academic community and
the broader St. Louis public. Hunt Gallery presents exhibitions of individual artists
and groups of artists of regional, national, and international renown whose works
demonstrate significant aesthetic achievement or historic importance.
CECILLE R. HUNT GALLERY
Visual Arts Studio
Webster University
8342 Big Bend Boulevard
St. Louis, Missouri, 63119
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. or by appointment
For more information, call 314-246-7957.