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| Portrait of Olley by Ben Quilty Winner of the 2010 Archibald Prize |
Saddened this week by the passing of the wonderful Margaret Olley!
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| In the studio |
Olley who was preparing for her latest exhibition at the age of 88, will be remembered for her rich celebration of still life and interiors, within a hugely prolific body of work, together with her undying philanthropic generosity and support of the Australian art world.
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| Red Hibiscus |
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| Still Life with Mandarins |
Her work which centred upon the passionate love of beauty and capturing the objects in her treasured world, was indeed her life and homage to the likes of Cezanne and Morandi.
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| Tang Horse 1975 |
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| Olley with Barry Humphries in front of the celebrated William Dobell Archibald Prize winning portait of 1948 (Picture: Brianne Makin) |
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| Poppies and Yellow Jug 2004 |
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| Lemons 2002 |
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| Flannel and Wild Flowers in a White Vase 1973 |
Always hoping to create what she called the 'perfect' picture, this desire continued to drive Olley to the next painting and then the next, perhaps always doubting the true resolution of the one which came before.
The ongoing search for perfection in her work was the driving force and life blood of this larger than life character.
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| Still Life with Apples |
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| Tuscany Rug with Native Flowers 1995 |
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| Ranunculus and Watermelon 1978 |
She once said
"A work of art is never finished, it is merely abandoned!"
I am sure her spirit will live on amongst the ramshackle rooms and objects of her beloved Paddington terrace and studio. As her close friend and dealer Philip Bacon who worked with her right to the end touchingly commented.....
'She is probably propped up on her stool, cigarette in hand debating now whether the Sydney ferry should have been left in that harbour scape painting for the final show, or not!!'
Images & Story via:
Conversation with Philip Bacon & Eleanor Hall on The World Today ABC Radio National;
AGNSW; Philip Bacon Galleries; McCullochs's Encyclopedia of Australian Art;
Deutscher-Menzies various catalogues; The Melbourne Age: Photo by Steven Siewert; Australian Studio Book
'She is probably propped up on her stool, cigarette in hand debating now whether the Sydney ferry should have been left in that harbour scape painting for the final show, or not!!'
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| 1923-2011 |
Images & Story via:
Conversation with Philip Bacon & Eleanor Hall on The World Today ABC Radio National;
AGNSW; Philip Bacon Galleries; McCullochs's Encyclopedia of Australian Art;
Deutscher-Menzies various catalogues; The Melbourne Age: Photo by Steven Siewert; Australian Studio Book
Olley will live forever in her evocative paintings of the beautiful things which surrounded her.
ReplyDeleteOne of the great Australian painters.