Olivier Arsene Ganthier, known as OliGa, is a Haitian visual artist and designer. His figurative work consists of portraits, afro-pop characters, doodles, and motifs, which draw inspiration from his Caribbean culture, tropical landscape, and urban life. He aims today to spread positivity through Black excellence, joy, peace, and love, recovering from our past historical traumas with various forms of representation challenging the stereotypical view of Blackness.
OliGa works with various mediums, including spray paint, digital art, acrylic paint, and markers. He began his artistic journey early in his dad's studio and later pursued formal training at the ENARTS in Haiti. He is now pursuing his MFA at Otis College of Art and Design.
OliGa has collaborated with some brands, including HP, Lyft, Unilever, and Heineken... The illustrator of the book "I Want to Ride the Tap Tap" created artwork on the limited edition Prestige beer can and painted an art car for Mazda at Auto Expo Haiti. His work has been exhibited in galleries and fairs and is held in the permanent collection of the US Embassy in Haiti.
The artist has created custom artwork for celebrities such as J Balvin, Dadju, Mr. Eazi, Naomi Osaka, and Rachid Badouri. In the social, he painted a basketball art court for the community with Impact 13 of James Harden/Fondation Barbancourt and launched the #tireartchallenge in Haiti, which aims to provide an art alternative to violent protests and tire burning. He also co-launched the first Haitian Street Art and Graffiti Festival, "Festi Graffiti," and taught classes at le Centre d'art.
OliGa has participated in art residencies and painted murals in California, Wynwood Art District, New York, DR, and Haiti. His work has been part of an art auction with Paddle 8 and The Art Plug. He continues to create digital art, paintings, and street art murals while collaborating commercially with brands and companies, primarily on limited-edition clothing, custom art, and other products.
References
OliGa (@oligarts) • Instagram