Oly Miltys: Self-Taught Ceramic Sculptor on Risk and Resilience
Self-taught ceramic sculptor Oly Miltys, born Olga Myltseva in Leningrad in 1973, transitioned from a career as a hairdresser to full-time sculpture in her forties. After leaving Russia in 2022, she now works from Belgrade, Serbia. Her practice centers on stoneware fired at 1250°C, using layered glazes and underglaze painting. A defining work, 'The Times' ('Vremena'), created during her third year of sculpting, marked a leap into monumental forms despite limited experience. Miltys draws on her hairdressing background to capture fleeting human emotions and on musical training in choral singing and piano to structure compositions rhythmically. She and her husband rely solely on her art for income, with no institutional funding. A solo exhibition organized by the Belgrade city administration recognized her work. She is currently developing large-scale objects that merge sculpture with graphic narratives.
Key facts
- Oly Miltys was born Olga Myltseva in Leningrad in 1973.
- She worked as a hairdresser for 14 years before becoming a sculptor.
- She had musical education in choral singing and piano.
- She left Russia in 2022 and is now based in Belgrade, Serbia.
- She is self-taught and began sculpting at age 42.
- She works primarily with stoneware and colored glazes fired at 1250°C.
- Her sculptural composition 'The Times' ('Vremena') was created during her third year of practice.
- A solo exhibition was organized by the Belgrade city administration.
- She and her husband rely entirely on her art for financial stability.
- She is developing a new series of large-scale objects combining sculpture and painting.
Entities
Artists
- Oly Miltys
- Olga Myltseva
Institutions
- Belgrade city administration
Locations
- Leningrad
- Belgrade
- Serbia
- Russia
Sources
- AATONAU —