In the work of Dmitry Oleyn, saturated sunlit pastel skies reach across mirror-like waters, and horizon lines are nearly imperceptible. Punctuated only by the occasional serene sailboat or gentle waves breaking on an unseen shore, the artist’s compositions are a study in immersive color, texture, and visual sensation. Through the body of work comprised of both new and recent paintings currently featured by Brooklyn-based Nikitn Gallery, viewers are invited to reflect on the beauty and nuance of the natural world.
Artist Dmitry Oleyn. Courtesy of Nikitin Gallery.
Originally from Ukraine, Oleyn showed an early proclivity for art and studied at the Dnepropetrovsk Art College between 1995 and 2000, when he also first began to exhibit his art. He subsequently studied at the Kiev Academy of Arts (NAOMA), graduating in 2008. He ultimately moved to Germany in 2017 and enrolled at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, receiving his M.A. in 2020. Oleyn’s formal academic training paired with his own signature aesthetic have resulted in a unique technical approach to painting that infuse his landscapes with a compelling finish.
Dmitry Oleyn, Ocean of Tenderness (2025). Courtesy of Nikitin Gallery.
Part of the visual allure of Oleyn’s work can be traced to the distinctive technique he has developed for paint application. Rather than use the traditional approach that embraces the flatness of the canvas, the artist instead builds his pigments so there is an element of bas-relief, leaving the surface rugged and with a marked sense of tactility from the artist’s hand. When they are displayed, the irregular surface casts shadows, which when viewed against the painted shadows, is especially intriguing; it also creates a degree of mutability, as depending on the time of day and where the paintings are hung, the lighting of the space enters into dialogue with the work both physically and compositionally.
Dmitry Oleyn, Sea (2025). Courtesy of Nikitn Gallery.
Ultimately, through his work Oleyn provides a place for the viewer to psychologically explore ideas and experiences around perception as well as their own internal, emotional landscapes—and find a moment of respite. The artist noted of his work, “My paintings are unique because each artist puts a fragment of their own irreplaceable emotions into their works. Through my art, I aim to bring people a sense of warmth, tranquility, and sincerity.”
Explore the work of Dmitry Oleyn with Nikitin Gallery.
