Meet Odessa Mahony De Vries
Meet Odessa Mahony De Vries — one of the vibrant artists featured in our Ola Mexicola Art Series. Odessa channels the raw materiality of paint, colour, and form into an intuitive, movement-led practice spanning expressive abstraction, sculpture, and installation. She embraces chaos, curiosity, and play - inviting viewers into a bold, joyful world where process is everything and beauty lives in the unexpected.
We spoke to Odessa about her creative process, her connection to colour, and how Mexico’s textures and energy found their way into her work.
Can you tell us a little about your background and how you came to be an artist?
I’ve been painting as long as I can remember, it is a way for me to move my body and be present. The process excites me and surprises me constantly, I have a deep love of paint's materiality. I completed a Bachelor of Arts (fine arts) Degree at RMIT in 2018 and the past couple of years I have been working in a studio above a Chinese restaurant in Nambour QLD.
How would you describe your artistic style or philosophy?
My work is colourful and expressive abstraction in the form of paintings, sculptures and installation. It is extremely process driven, bodily, messy and responsive.
What inspires your creative process day-to-day?
I always start by playing music before I get started, it helps me get into the mood for creating and moving my body.
How did the Ola Mexicola brief and its Mexican influences inspire your work?
I was struck by the strong bold colours and the sense of fun and playfulness.
Did you draw on any particular elements—colour palettes, textures, architecture, or culture - from Mexico when creating your pieces?
I was particularly drawn to the green and pink combo and the orange and blue; they are such vibrant complementary colours. The darker greens add a layer of age and depth to the joyful light nature of the work.
What story or mood do you hope your work brings to this collection?
In my paintings I try to balance a sense of joy, messiness, and wonder. I think in painting and in life it is important to find glimpses of light amongst the struggle and hardship in the world.
What role does colour play in your work, and how do you decide on your palettes?
It plays a massive role in my work! I love mixing colours together and being surprised by them, I'm not structured or organised at all when it comes to colour. Sometimes I'll have a colour in mind to try but mostly I just start painting and respond to each mark and layer as I go until I discover something new to me.
Where do you imagine your Ola Mexicola piece living - in what kind of space or setting?
I think the work belongs in the home of someone that has an openness, curiosity and excitement for life.
How do you hope people will feel when they live with your artwork?
When I make the work I feel very grounded and present and at times I am excited and brave, I hope they feel the same way while living with the work.
If you could spend a day in Mexico, where would you go and why?
I think I'd go to the Frida Kahlo Museum and see the pyramids in a hot air balloon. Obviously Frida Kahlo is an inspirational woman and I've never been in a hot air balloon, it looks beautiful.
Name three words that sum up the feeling of Ola Mexicola for you.
Family, playfulness, joy.
Explore the Ola Mexicola Art Series and discover Odessa’s exclusive works, created in celebration of this new collection.
Explore Ola Mexicola Collection
