John Olsen
Sept 06 - Oct 01
John Olsen's first exhibition in Melbourne since 2003 on 6 September and runs until 01 October.
Inspired by a trip to The Coorong, a long shallow lagoon separated from the Southern ocean by a sand dune peninsula on South Australia wild coastline, the exhibition contains 18 new landscapes, wildlife paintings and a large mural installation.
The Olsen Coorong series will also be featured in a new book called 'Unfinished Journey,' which will be launched at the exhibition opening.
'Unfinished Journey' chronicles the paintings and photographs of 13 Australian artists who were invited to travel to a destination of their choice either within Australia or overseas. The project has been co-ordinated by art consultant Ken McGregor.
Olsen, who lived near The Coorong in the 1980s, has had a long romance with the area and he chose to return there for his sojourn for Unfinished Journey.
"It's a soul place," Olsen said "The silence of The Coorong is just wonderful. It's wild. There are no houses, there's nothing except nature au natural. Out at the Coorong, it's about life and death and struggle."
Coorong comes from the Aboriginal word Karangk, which means long neck. It is one of Australia's most significant Aboriginal archaeological sites as well as home to about 250 species of birds, some of them rare, and nearly 280 plant species.
Over the past six decades, John Olsen has redefined the Australian landscape and these new works are no exception. He has produced yet another remarkable series of sensitive watercolours and paintings that celebrate his preoccupation with nature.
Widely recognised as Australia's greatest living artist, John Olsen is represented in the Australian National Gallery and all state galleries throughout the country. His work is also included in numerous overseas galleries and private collections.
John Olsen has won the Wynne Prize 1969 and 1985, the Sulman Prize 1989, the Archibald Prize 2005 and been awarded an O.B.E in1977 and an AO for services to the Arts.
'Unfinished Journey' will be published by McMillan in September 2006 and launched at Metro 5 Gallery on 12th September. It includes works from Jason Benjamin Zhong Chen, Fred Cress, Sharon Green, Tanya Hoddinott, Dean Home, Emma Langridge, Anthony Lister, Yvette Swan, George Ward Tjunguarryi, Tim Storrier, John Olsen and Mina Young.
