This week we had fun getting to know Ollie, one of our incredible silhouette artists, a bit better.
BC: Hello there, so who are you?
Ollie: Hi. I’m Oliver and I’m a silhouette artist.
BC: Describe what you do in one sentence.
Ollie: I can cut your portrait from a piece of paper in less than two minutes
BC: What makes you different from other silhouette cutters?
In addition to cameos, I can cut full length portraits from life, which is rare. I believe in avoiding any formula and cutting each portrait uniquely.
BC: How did you become a silhouette cutter?
Ollie: I’ve drawn people since I was very little. At some point I transitioned into using scissors.
BC: Who is your favourite silhouette cutter / artist?
The c19th silhouettist August Edouart cut some amazing full-length group portraits. There’s a great early c20th silhouette animator called Lotte Reiniger, and all silhouettes today owe a debt to Charles Burns.
BC: What has been your favourite ever event (and why)?
Ollie: Well, I worked the wrap party for the new Star Wars film where Harrison Ford, Mark Hamil and Carrie Fisher were there and I’ve worked in New Orleans and the Caribbean, but in some ways my favourite was a community event I organised in Deptford where I cut local families’ silhouettes. People came with umbrellas and push chairs and babies on their backs and it was lovely to give them their portrait to take home and to put a duplicate into a community silhouette mural.
BC: What would be your ideal event?
Ollie: Well, I do like working at events where there are good musicians playing. It makes me cut much more rhythmically.
BC: Who have you most enjoyed performing for/meeting on an event?
Ollie: I enjoyed meeting the chef Marcus Wareing and hearing how his cooking goes down at home. I also enjoyed cutting silhouettes for an entire school class and hearing their brilliant ideas.
BC: What do you do the rest of the time (when you’re not doing your act)?
Ollie: I paint, play the drums and read a lot.
To book Ollie for your next party, please get in touch today.