Oli D’Cruz (b. 1996, Goa)
I work with video, animation, sculpture and puppetry to build fictional and possible worlds. Through these worlds I question the disproportionate effects of systems of extraction on bodies and land. I am interested in the relationships that are made either possible or impossible as a result of these systems.
While developing a practice of puppetry, I have been learning about its historical use in playfully questioning dominant narratives, a skill that has become increasingly valuable under current regimes of surveillance and censorship. Alongside my practice, I develop workshops for children that encourage engagement with local ecologies while centering playfulness.
I work with video, animation, sculpture and puppetry to build fictional and possible worlds. Through these worlds I question the disproportionate effects of systems of extraction on bodies and land. I am interested in the relationships that are made either possible or impossible as a result of these systems.
While developing a practice of puppetry, I have been learning about its historical use in playfully questioning dominant narratives, a skill that has become increasingly valuable under current regimes of surveillance and censorship. Alongside my practice, I develop workshops for children that encourage engagement with local ecologies while centering playfulness.
Exhibitions
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Planetary Poetics, Graduation show, Framer Framed, Amsterdam
Veranderende Vergezichten, Kunstcentrum de Ploeg, Wehe den Hoorn
It hûs is net ien, Triënnale fan Beetstersweach, Kunsthuis SYB, Beetsterzwaag
Nocturnal Voices (Museum Nacht Friesland), Tropische Kas, Beetsterzwaag
Final presentation residency: Water Witching, Kunsthuis SYB, Beetsterzwaag
A House To Inherit: Postcards From The Future, Tschumi Pavilion, Groningen
In the Courtroom with Rocks: Playgrounds, Oerol, Terschelling
Carriers, Kunsthuis Syb, Beesterzwaag
In the Courtroom with Rocks, Galerie Noorderlicht, Groningen
Jong en Veelbelovend, Villa Mondriaan, Winterswijk
Kunstsalon IJL, Galerie Noord, Groningen
Art Away, ZIP, Groningen
The Parliament of Things, NEMO, Amsterdam
De Kunst van het Zorgen, UMCG, Groningen
Tales of the Unseen, Academy Minerva, Groningen
Earths Nipples, ORKZ Art, Groningen
Covid-19 Exhibition, Gallery Forma Aktua, Groningen
In Loving Memory 2018 0.8°C, Sign gallery, Groningen
Leven als Museum, Literatuur Museum, The Hague
Shaky Grounds Festival, Academy Minerva, Groningen
Illustratie57, Academy Minerva, Groningen
Workshops
2022
2021
2020
2019
Games from home, Animation workshop, Asylum Seekers’ Centre, Delfzijl
Het Vogelnest, Pixilation workshop, Cinekid Festival, Rotterdam & Nijmegen
Onderwater Beestjes, Stop-motion workshop, Asylum Seekers’ Centre, Emmen
Puppet-up, Stop-motion workshop, Academy Minerva, Groningen
Puppet-up, Stop-motion workshop, Thinkering, Goa
Education
2025
2020
2016
Mfa Planetary Poetics, Sandberg Istitute, Amsterdam
BA illustration and animation, cum laude, Academy Minerva, Groningen
Foundation in Design, Indian Institute of Art and Design, Delhi
Residencies/
Internships
2023
2019
Kunsthuis SYB, Beetsterzwaag, Friesland
Stop-motion department intern, Studio Eeksaurus, Mumbai
http://studioeeksaurus.com/
Set and prop intern, The Rumour Mill Film, Matlock
http://www.therumourmillfilm.co.uk/
Awards
2022
2020
Sybren Hellinga Kunstprijs, Shortlist
Academy Minerva Artistic Research Prize, Winner
Articles
2025
2024
2023
2022
2025
2024
2023
2022
Metropolis M, Nadeche Remst
Eindexamen 2025
Mister Motley, Berber Miendertsma
https://www.mistermotley.nl/niet-zomaar-een-huis-over-de-4e-triennale-van-beetsterzwaag/
Kunstpunt Groningen, Dinnis van Dijken https://www.kunstpuntgroningen.nl/blog/interview-met-olivia-dcruz-marina-sulima-we-zijn-het-aan-toekomstige-generaties-verschuldigd-om-voor-ons-milieu-te-zorgen/
Dagblad van Het Noorden, Illand Pietersma
https://dvhn.nl/cultuur/beeldende-kunst/Olivia-D%E2%80%99Cruz-uit-India-maakt-tentoonstelling-over-de-aardbevingsproblematiek-in-Groningen-%E2%80%98We-moeten-naar-de-aarde-luisteren%E2%80%99-27831444.html
Contact
dcruzolivia11@gmail.com
@oliviadcruz_
@oliviadcruz_