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Margaret OlleyAustralian artist
Date of Birth: 24.06.1923
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Content:
- Margaret Olley: A Legacy of Australian Art
- Solo Exhibitions and Accolades
- Donations and Honors
- Portraits and Legacy
- Final Exhibition and Impact
- Artistic Inspiration
Margaret Olley: A Legacy of Australian Art
Early Life and CareerBorn in Lismore, New South Wales, Margaret Olley developed a passion for art at an early age. Despite missing a French lesson to attend an extra drawing class, she excelled in her studies and went on to win the prestigious Mosman Art Prize in 1947.
Solo Exhibitions and Accolades
Throughout her career, Olley held over 100 solo exhibitions, cementing her position as one of Australia's greatest artists. In 1997, the Art Gallery of New South Wales hosted a major retrospective of her work.
Donations and Honors
In 2006, Olley donated 130 artworks to the Art Gallery of New South Wales, valued at $7 million. She was recognized for her contributions to the arts with an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1991 and a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2006.
Portraits and Legacy
Olley was the subject of two Archibald Prize-winning portraits, by William Dobell in 1948 and Ben Quilty in 2011. She was also painted by other artists, including her close friend Russell Drysdale.
Final Exhibition and Impact
Her final paintings were exhibited in Woollahra in 2012, just weeks before her passing. The exhibition showcased her enduring optimism and joyfulness, as noted by Governor-General Quentin Bryce in her opening remarks.
Artistic Inspiration
In 2017, the Art Gallery of New South Wales used donations to acquire E. Phillips Fox's painting "Nasturtiums" in memory of Olley. Photographer Greg Weight documented her studio and home in Paddington, which served as both a workspace and a gallery. An art center named in her honor will be built at the gallery, inspired by the design of her home.
Margaret Olley's legacy continues to inspire and influence Australian art, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's cultural landscape.
