Andy Olsen Archive
The Andy Olsen Archive is a project that features and archives the work of Saint John artist Andreas V. Olsen, aka Andy Olsen, aka A. V. Olsen. The project is funded through an artsnb Documentation Grant. Pieces for the archive have been sourced from multiple collectors in the Saint John area as well as from my personal collection. Some of the images in the archive have been sourced from online auction records, hence, the deviation in photo quality.
Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Olsen came to Canada in the 1930s and worked as a draftsman at an engineering firm in Saint John. He lived on the west side of Saint John with his wife Nelli Mae, where he built a home on Center Street.
Although a prolific and accomplished artist, his work has not been celebrated to the degree that other artists from Saint John have been.
Most of Olsen’s work was produced in the 1960s and 70s and oscillates between the fantastical and the traditional, with many works deftly integrating both approaches. His work expresses a sincere and reverent relationship to nature and the maritime landscape, occasionally recalling the Romantic painter, William Blake.
Not much is known about Olsen other than anecdotes from people who were friends with him. There is very little information online and scarce exhibition and collection history except for a short biography that was adhered to the back of many of his paintings.
An exhibition accompanying the archive was mounted at 13 Cedars on October 19, 2025. The Andy Olsen Archive will be a consistently evolving database as new pieces are included. The online archive aims to serve as a resource for anyone interested in learning more about Olsen’s life and practice and welcomes input from members of the community. Accompanying the exhibition and archive, an experimental piece of writing, Andy Olsen is at Peace with the World, was composed by Jay Isaac while researching this project.
This project has been generously supported by artsnb
