Vale John Olsen AO OBE 1928–2023

‘The National Gallery of Australia is saddened to hear about the passing of one of Australia’s most celebrated artists and our long-time friend John Olsen.

John made an outstanding contribution to Australian art. For more than half a century, he expressed his passionate engagement with the natural world, bringing inspiration to thousands of people.

In paintings, drawings, watercolours, prints, tapestries, murals and ceramics John demonstrated the inventiveness of his creative imagination and continued to work into his 90s. One of his greatest achievements has been the way in which he transformed our conception of the environment with great vitality and insight. In the 1960s he brought a revolutionary approach to painting shaped by the dynamism of his line, the vibrancy of his colour and the multiplicity of his mark-making.

John was on the Council of the National Gallery and also a trustee on the Board of the Art Gallery of New South Wales. He was given the honour of two retrospective exhibitions in his lifetime and was appointed to the Order of Australia in 2001.

We will remember John’s great contribution to Australian art with deep admiration. Our memories of his vibrant public persona and his great knowledge of all kinds of literature, especially poetry, which informed his art, remain.'

- Dr Deborah Hart, Henry Dalrymple Head Curator, Australian Art, National Gallery of Australia

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