John Olsen

John Olsen was one of Australia's most celebrated artists, known for his energetic and distinctive painting style and his lyrical depiction of the Australian landscape and nature. He developed a unique and sensual pictorial language that presented a personal view of the world as experienced by the senses, often full of joie de vivre but also contemplative and deeply felt. He was a major figure in the story of Australian art and his work had a profound impact on the cultural identity of the nation. Olsen began his formal art studies at the Dattilo Rubbo Art School in Sydney in 1947, aged 19. He then studied at the Julian Ashton School under John Passmore and at East Sydney Technical College with Godfrey Miller. He was influenced by the work of French postwar abstract artists and Italian moderns, which he saw in exhibitions at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. He held his first solo exhibition in Sydney in 1955 and by the end of 1956, he travelled to Europe on a private scholarship. He visited London and Paris before settling in Spain, on the island of Majorca, where he lived for three years. He was fascinated by the culture and culinary arts of the Mediterranean and became attuned to what he called 'intensities of nature'. He painted his experiences of the Spanish village of Deià and its sounds, shapes, smells and sights. On his return to Sydney in 1960, Olsen painted the exceptional 'memory-journey' landscape Spanish encounter 1960, which was seen as a turning point in Australian art and purchased by the Art Gallery of New South Wales. He then began his 'You beaut country' series, which expressed his love for the Australian landscape and identity. He travelled extensively throughout the country, especially to remote areas such as Lake Eyre and Central Australia. He captured the spirit and character of these places with his vibrant colours, dynamic lines and organic forms. He also painted portraits, still lifes, animals and cityscapes with his distinctive style. In 1970, Olsen was commissioned to paint a mural for the Sydney Opera House, which he titled Salute to Five Bells after the poem by Kenneth Slessor. The mural was a monumental work that spanned over 21 metres wide and three metres tall. It depicted Olsen's vision of Sydney Harbour as a living organism, full of movement, energy and symbolism. It was one of his most celebrated works and a testament to his artistic vision. Olsen received numerous awards and honours throughout his career, including an OBE in 1977, an AO in 2001, an Australian Creative Fellowship in 1993, and the Archibald Prize in 2005 for his self-portrait Janus Faced. He also won the Wynne Prize twice (in 1969 and 1985) and the Sulman Prize once (in 1989). His work was exhibited widely in Australia and overseas, and is held in many public and private collections. He continued to paint until his last days, showing his passion and dedication to his art. Olsen died on April 11, 2023 at his home near Bowral, NSW, surrounded by his family. He was 95 years old. He was remembered as one of Australia's greatest living artists and a cultural icon who had a unique ability to capture the essence of the Australian landscape.