Oliver Ma

Artist Statement:

I am sandwiched between two cultures, China and the United States, both of which I adore and have adapted to, yet many events and conflicts between the two countries arise day after day. I believe many people in the world feel like they are being deployed in the middle of the conflict, not knowing what to do. My art serves as a door to smooth away the discordant environment. Directing our focus to the seemingly insignificant details that affect our daily lives, like the small ripples on the lake or the interior of machinery with gears and pistons. I find it so fascinating to examine these harder-to-notice details. Consuming their repeating movements and rhythm creates an atmosphere of peace in my mind. I find a sense of belonging and calm when I realize the nothingness of no thoughts. 

In my experience, when focusing on these small things, I start to notice their overshadowed presence. Pushing my observations, I search for every little unnoticed “presence” around me and record them. These inspirations snowball until I can replicate and integrate these movements of life into my sculpture artworks. Using mediums ranging from digital modeling of metal wires to ceramics, as they interest me in their properties to shape into anything. I’m currently experimenting with water as part of a piece. The unique movements and properties of water always absorb me. It is shapeless yet can be made into all shapes. It is unpredictable yet repeatable. It is loose, yet it is willing to follow the path of the copper wire throughout my pieces. 

Experimentation plays a significant role in my artwork. During the creation process, I’m often unsure whether the creation will work, yet I have only a glimpse into the vision of the theoretical art piece in my head. However, the lack of information, or the “nothingness,” sparks my curiosity to fill in the gaps with the depths of my creativity.

Through my sculptures, I invite viewers to step away from the noise of daily life and join me in the quiet exploration of ‘nothingness.’ By focusing on the small, often overlooked rhythms around us, I hope to offer a doorway to peace and presence—a moment to appreciate life’s subtle beauty, free from judgment or distraction. In these blessed, quiet movements, we might just find a place to belong.