Margaret Olley -The Loss of a National Treasure!

Portrait of Olley by Ben Quilty Winner of the 2010 Archibald Prize

Saddened this week by the passing of the wonderful Margaret Olley!

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.

Red Hibiscus

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.

Tang Horse 1975

Olley with Barry Humphries in front of the celebrated William Dobell Archibald Prize winning portait of 1948 (Picture:  Brianne Makin)

Poppies and Yellow Jug 2004

Lemons 2002

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.

Still Life with Apples

Tuscany Rug with Native Flowers 1995

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!!'

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  

Happy Mother's Day!

Pink Gum Blossoms 1929 by Margaret Preston

Enjoy your day, read a book, stop and smell the flowers, and relax!

Image from 'Margaret Preston' Art Gallery of New South Wales

Deborah Edwards

Dark and Moody!

Living in Australia we do take for granted the incredible light and sunniness that we are so lucky to experience...although having said that Melbourne is a little different...perhaps that's why they call it the "Paris of Australia"! Not only for its cultural 'prowess' but also due to its fairly constant winter weather.

I just love a moody, deep, sensual, interior.  It reminds me of what it would be like to live in Paris in the 1930's.

I adore the dark brooding atmosphere of Australian ' Rug Icon'  Robyn Cosgrove's Sydney apartment, shown in the latest Vogue Living.  Her wonderful modernist paintings pop off those shadowy walls and evoke a feeling of being in another time and another place!

Photos by Earl Carter for Vogue Living