Oli Epp returns to Morley for unveiling celebration 

On Thursday Oli Epp, a former Zsuzsi Roboz scholar, visited Morley’s Waterloo Centre for a special moment of celebration as part of the Artists of Morley 2025.  

Since studying at Morley in 2017, Oli has gone on to achieve remarkable success as a contemporary artist. Now internationally recognised, Epp’s style and thought-provoking work has earned him a strong reputation in today’s art world.  His most recent solo exhibition in London drew wide acclaim for its sharp visual themes.   

Oli’s work explores the contradictions of modern life – our online personas, the pressure of perfection and the darker side of consumer culture. The overall aesthetic of Epp’s paintings conveys the digital world; mimicking the screen, toying with the physicality of surface. The flatness and luminosity of his work reflects our complex relationship with technology; how we use it as extensions of oneself or as a pretence of one’s personality, as a façade.

The celebration on Thursday evening was attended by staff, tutors past and present, students and friends of Morley. Oli officially unveiled his work, titled Fat Belly, which he generously donated to Morley’s Permanent Collection in 2018.

Seven years since leaving Morley, Oli reflected on his time at Morley and the impact of the Roboz scholarship on his practice. Oli said:

“It feels like a full circle moment. I was awarded the Zsuzsi Roboz scholarship in 2017 straight after graduating from art school. And the prize came with a generous financial stipend, which allowed me to do courses and continue learning here at Morley.

“During my time I was taught screen printing, video editing, sculpture, all of which have been put into practice today. I also enjoyed the fine art mentoring programme with Erika Winstone. I wanted to say Morley actually bought me my first 50-litre air compressor, which is the utensil I used to spray my paintings still today. So it still goes on!…so lots of love there.”  

Visit the Waterloo Centre reception to see Oli’s fabulous artwork Fat Belly in the flesh.

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