Gage T. Olesen (b. 1993, Oregon) is an Oakland-based symbolist painter and illustrator whose work reinterprets classical form through a contemporary lens. Drawing from religious iconography, myth, and archetypal symbolism, his paintings explore the layered relationship between spiritual inquiry and visual storytelling.

Olesen’s compositions often juxtapose sculptural, figurative forms with abrupt shifts in texture and technique—balancing delicate rendering with bold, impressionist brushwork and collaged elements. This stylistic interplay creates tension and resonance within each piece, challenging traditional boundaries while honoring their foundations.

Working from his studio in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood, Olesen continues to develop a visual language rooted in metaphor, intuition, and the search for meaning