John Olsen (1928)

Professions: Sculptor; Painter

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  JOHN HENRY OLSEN (B. 1928)

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  JOHN OLSEN B. 1928 MALLEE COUNTRY

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  JOHN OLSEN B. 1928 FLOODED RIVER & WATTLES

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  John Olsen born 1928 LANDSCAPE WOUNDED BY SUMMER 1985-1986 oil on canvas

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John Olsen Biography

(b Newcastle, NSW, 21 Jan 1928). Australian painter and teacher. He studied at the Julian Ashton School, Sydney (1950–53), under John Passmore and briefly under Desiderius Orban. In 1957 he studied printmaking in Paris under Stanley William Hayter, followed by two years in Spain. When he returned to Australia in 1960, his Spanish experiences had a strong influence on his work, as in Granada (1959; Melbourne, Joseph Brown Gal.). Olsen was a non-figurative painter best known for his Australian landscapes, such as Journey into You Beaut Country (1961; Melbourne, N.G. Victoria) and Man Absorbed in Landscape (1966; Melbourne, Joseph Brown Gal.; see AUSTRALIA, fig. 13); some of these were inspired by visits to Lake Eyre (1974–6). Olsen’s work was influenced by poetry, literature, Chinese art, Asian philosophy and, later, space exploration and Surrealism. Apart from painting, he practised drawing, pottery, printmaking, tapestry design and creative writing. He also painted the Sydney Opera House mural, Salute to ‘Five Bells’ (1970–73).

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