John Olsen (artist)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John Henry Olsen, AO, OBE (born 1928 in Newcastle, New South Wales) is a well renowned Australian artist. Olsen's primary subject of work is landscape. Although he has been labeled as an abstract artist, Olsen rejects this accusation, stating, "I have never painted an abstract painting in my life". He describes his work as "an exploration of the totality of landscape."

The influence for Olsen's work is said to be derived from his travels to Spain where he developed an interest in Spanish culture. Olsen then returned to Australia and wanted to represent Australian culture in such a way that the whole world would see the diversity in the changing seasons.

Olsen's life has been marked by a generosity of spirit, by the vitality of his friendships with many of Australia's leading painters, and by his personal struggles which have led to some of the greatest works of Australian landscape paintings. Such artworks include the 'Lake Eyre' series and more recent works such as 'Golden Summer, Clarendon'. One of Olsen's most successful murals, 'Salute to Five Bells' is currently hung in the Sydney Opera House.

In 1957 a Sydney businessman, recognising the immense talent of the young John Olsen, paid him to go to Majorca and paint. The businessman sold most of the paintings for a profit and Olsen was transformed by the influences of European art and the Mediterranean. On his return to Sydney in 1960 the extent of his talent was soon widely recognised.

In 1968 Olsen set up and ran the Bakery Art School, and in 1972-73 he painted 'Salute to Five Bells', inspired by Kenneth Slessor's poem. Olsen's work has been marked by a deep engagement with the Australian landscape, and he has lived for long periods in different parts of the country and travelled widely in it. He has served on the boards of the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the National Art Gallery.

He won the 2005 Archibald Prize for this self portrait Janus Faced.^[1]

Today he lives near Bowral, New South Wales.