About
Raoul Olou is a multidisciplinary artist who creates work that references personal experiences, ontology, and intuition, inspired by speculative fiction, science and popular culture.
Exhibitions
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Low Earth Orbit, Smoke the Moon, 2024
Where the Light Finds You, Mark Christopher Gallery, 2023
Dancing in the Light, The Wedge Collection at MOCA Toronto, 2023
Still Present Yet Absent, Next Contemporary, 2023
Self Musings, United Contemporary, 2023
No Danger in Being Enacted, the Run Gallery, 2021
Ain’t Fugazi, Mark Christopher Gallery, 2021
VII Salon, Patel Brown, 2019
An Index, MOCA Toronto, 2019
Film Screenings
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Black Diasporas Tkaronto-Toronto, Myseum, afrOURban, Inc, 2024
Black Spatiality, Artspace Gallery, 2023
Toronto Animation Arts Festival International, 2014
TIFF Kids International Film Festival, 2014
Ottawa International Animation Festival, 2013
GIRAF Animation Festival, 2013
Animated Dreams Estonia Animation Festival, 2013
Monstra Festival, 2013
TAAFI Toronto, 2013
Toronto Urban Film Festival, 2013
Fantasia Film Festival, 2012
Anima Mundi Film Festival, 2012
Cornwall Film Festival, 2012
Residencies
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Annandale Residency, Annandale, Prince Edward County, 2022
The Point Residency, AURA, Parry Sound, 2021
Drake Devonshire Artist in Residence, Drake Devonshire, Prince Edward County, 2020
Akin MOCA Residency, Museum of Contemporary Art, Toronto, 2019
Press
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Globe and Mail, Pursuits, Canada’s Best Dressed, interviewed by Odessa Paloma Parker, 2024
Canada Reads 2024 book trailers, CBC, 2024
La Billeterie, entrevue avec Raoul Olou, Radio Canada, interviewed by Alison Vicrobeck, 2023
Toronto vu par Raoul Olou, ONFR+, short documentary directed by Joanne Belluco, 2022
L’artiste Qui Archive Le Banal, CBC Radio Canada, “Y a Pas Deux Matin Pareils”, 2019
Featured artist: Depictions of Toronto Streetscapes Earn This Former Animator a Place in the City's Official Art Collection by Sherry Smither, Luxe Magazine Issue 03, 2019
Education
Bachelor in Film Animation
2011 - 2014, Concordia University, Montreal
Diplôme de Réalisation Numérique
2005 - 2008, Ecole George Méliès, Paris
Collections
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Bisteccheria Sammarco, Toronto, 2025
Art Bank, Ottawa, 2023
Ode Toronto, Toronto, 2022
Sheraton Hotel, Toronto, 2021
The Gladstone Hotel, Toronto, 2021
Drake Hotel, Toronto, 2021
Royal Bank of Canada, Montreal, 2021
City of Toronto, Toronto, 2019
The Wedge Collection, Toronto, 2019
Awards / Grants / Prizes
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Honourable Mention, Painting, Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, 2022
Explore and Create, Research and Creation, Canada Council for the Arts, 2021
Artists in the Library, Toronto Arts Council, 2021
Professional Development for Professional Artists, Canada Council for the Arts, 2021
Skills and Career Development: Indigenous Arts Professionals and Arts Professionals of Colour Grant, Ontario Arts Council, 2020 & 2018
Mayor’s Purchase Award, Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, 2019
Newcomer and Refugee Artist Grant, Toronto Arts Council, 2017
Foundation de Seve Award, Film Animation, Concordia University, 2013
Blaimore Foundation Award, Film Animation, Concordia University, 2012
Professional / Presentations
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Art with Heart, Co-chair, Toronto, 2022-25
Art with Heart, Committee Member, Toronto, 2019-22
Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Artist Panel Discussion, 2022
Paperhouse Studio, Papermaking Instructor, 2022-2025
Scarborough Arts, Painting Instructor, Scarborough, 2020-24
Nia Center for the Arts, Painting Instructor, Toronto, 2019