Watch our time-lapse as Ben Quilty draws portraits of Margaret Olley on the wall of the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA). These large-scale chalk drawings are based on preparatory sketches he made for his Archibald Prize winning portrait of Olley. Quilty has cast in chalk some of the objects she gave him over the years;…
Continue reading » “Watch Ben Quilty draw with Margaret Olley’s teapot cast in chalk”
Ben Quilty reflects on his friendship with Margaret Olley, and the lasting influence of her support on his practice. Olley was a generous donor, mentor to emerging artists and a firm friend to many. Ben Quilty in conversation Olley (1923–2011) was the subject of Quilty’s 2011 Archibald winning portrait. His portrait is of an unflinching…
The Hon. Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO, Former Governor-General of Australia, offers her personal reflections on Margaret Olley’s work, how Olley’s paintings were introduced into her life and why her flower studies are a favourite. Margaret Olley shared her life with us from wherever she made her studio. Her life was a celebration of art,…
The influence of Margaret Olley AC (1923–2011) on the history of twentieth-century Australian art exceeds even the impressive body of work she produced during her lifetime. Now, as during her long and productive career, Olley remains widely admired for her luminous, life-affirming approach to painting, and the constancy and bravura with which she pursued her…
Our major exhibition celebrating the work of leading Australian artist Margaret Olley (1923-2011), ‘Margaret Olley: A Generous Life’ features more than 100 paintings and drawings highlighting the colourful life, legacy and influence of a much-loved Australian artist. This free exhibition is a celebration of Olley’s extraordinary life as an artist, mentor, muse, passionate collector and…
Announcing the acquisition of five extraordinary early prints by Pablo Picasso (1881–1973), Director Chris Saines CNZM noted the economy, sensitivity and brilliance with which their human subjects were captured. He also recognised the generous support for the acquisition from the Margaret Olley Art Trust, the Henry and Amanda Bartlett Trust and the Airey Family through…
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art stands and recognise the creative contribution First Australians make to the art and culture of this country.