Olesen was heavily influenced by Van Gogh and, like Van Gogh, he used heavy powerful colours along with dark wide shades in his works. Olesen won the prestigious Van Gogh award in 1941 for his tribute. Olesen worked primarily with still-life’s and is known for his series of powerful and charismatic pieces. Olesens works are also very unique and one is never doubtful whether or not it is his work. The wild movements and colours he used are very recognisable and present in all his works. Later Olesen was known for his series of modern animal scenes and figure oils and especially for his works with wild cubistic chickens and his expressive and entertaining portray of American jazz musicians like Louie Armstrong and Duke Ellington.
Exhibitions:
The Artists Fall Exhibition: 1935-1945.
The National Gallery of Fine arts: 1941.
The Independent: 1944-1946.
Hotel Postgaarden: 1949.
Georlev: 1950.
B.T: 1977.
Øbro Art Gallery 