B. 1923 – 2011

Margaret Olley represents one of Australia’s most esteemed artists. Born in Lismore, Northern New South Wales, she is best known for her floral and still life imagery, and was the subject of two Archibald winning portraits (William Dobell in 1948 and Ben Quilty in 2011). Olley first studied art at Brisbane Technical College and then East Sydney Technical College, working as a set designer before departing for Europe in 1949. 

Upon her return to Australia in 1953, Olley lived for a time in Brisbane before departing again to travel throughout New Guinea, Malaysia, Cambodia and Bali. In 1964 she bought a terrace house in the inner-city Sydney suburb of Paddington – a site that would become iconic to her practice. Adorned with exotica from her travels, fruits and flowers, art and pottery, it was often the subject of her art. 

Olley is represented across public collections, was awarded the Order of Australia in 1991 and made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1991. When she died in 2011, a state memorial service was held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and her home and studio were collected, recorded and in part recreated at the Tweed River Art Gallery. 

 
To read a more in-depth biography of the artist, click here.