1923 - 2011
Born in Lismore in 1923, Margaret Olley studied at the Brisbane Central Technical College then at East Sydney Technical College graduating in 1945 with first class honours. She went on to study and travel extensively - to France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, China, Russia and Cambodia. During the 1940's she became a prominent figure in the Sydney art scene and joined other artists such as Donald Friend at Hill End.
Olley held her first solo exhibition in 1948 and has held at least one exhibition annually. She is known for her colourful interiors and still life paintings. She is also widely known for being the subject of the famous William Dobell portrait which won the Archibald Prize in 1948.
Olley's close friend, the Australian entertainer Barry Humphries writes "A visit to Margaret Olley is certainly an unforgettable experience. Her house is a series of studios, filled burgeoning with furniture, textiles and objects that she incorporates into her ravishing nature mortes. In each room, and in various stages of completion, stands a painting, propped sometimes against a chair, or flung with seeming carelessness upon a sofa - there is no sign of so formal an accoutrement as an easel.
A simple table, covered with gourds and tangerines and upon which might also rest a Turkish pot, a jar of flannel flowers or a dish of desiccated raspberries, stands against a black and gilded Chinese screen. In the foreground, Miss Olley's painting of this subject is casually appended. It is not difficult to image that she was once (in 1959) the proprietrix of an antique store." Margaret Olley is a legend in the art world - both as an artist and a generous philanthropist. Her paintings are highly sought after by public and private collectors both in Australia and all around the world.
In 1991 Margaret Olley was awarded the Australian Office of the Order of Australia (AO) and in 2006 she was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the Queen's Birthday Honors List.
In 2007, Margaret Olley was appointed a Fellow of the National Art School. She is only the third Fellow to be appointed, joining Peter Rushforth and John Coburn.
Margaret Olley sadly passed away on 26th July 2011 in her home in Paddington, Sydney.
Collections
National Gallery of Australia
Art Gallery of New South Wales
National Gallery of Victoria
Queensland Art Gallery
Art Gallery of Western Australia
Art Gallery of South Australia
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Artbank
Australian National University
University of New South Wales
University of Queensland
University of Sydney
Bendigo Art Gallery
Lismore Regional Art Gallery
Newcastle Region Art Gallery
Toowoomba Art Gallery
Tweed River Art Gallery
Wollongong City Gallery
