Joshua Olley is an American artist living and working in Kyiv
Episode 499: Joshua Olley, my American compatriot living in Europe, joins up to speak with me concerning his completely unseen move from being an artist working in Paris with his wife Lucille, to a war correspondent working for United24 in Kyiv, a state-based media company where he works on images from the war, but also the unseen sides of its casualties in hospitals when not close to the Zone.
As mentioned regarding Lucille, Josh has also made a severe U-turn in his life by moving to Kyiv, where he has made some incredibly powerful work of the Ukrainian military, while also responding to the trauma many of them face in the ongoing war with Russia. I have been in awe of Josh as he navigates the morass of death and precarious living in the city. His work has evolved in vital ways that showcase his ability and his understanding of the terse world around him.
Please listen to this episode. Josh is a gem, and his tales from the front lines are pretty harrowing. I give him ultimate credit for what he is doing and wish him and Lucile a safe return when the time is right. This is the kind of work that makes our little arty projects feel insincere, slow, and inconsequential. I am very proud of both.
