John Olsen's oeuvre has been described as visual poetry, an idea that reveals itself in this original watercolour on paper. Large and hand-signed by Olsen, ‘Self Portrait in a Kangaroo Landscape’ expresses the artist’s belief that all forms of life – the landscape, animals, oneself – are interconnected. Can you see whether the landscape, artist and kangaroo end and start?

As American poet Thomas Bailey Aldrich wrote, “What is lovely never dies, but passes into another loveliness, Star-dust or sea-foam, Flower or winged air.” In an Olsen, what never dies becomes desert dirt, kangaroo paw, the curve of a face, the flick of ink. 

‘Self Portrait in a Kangaroo Landscape’, illustrated in the book ‘John Olsen: Drawing – The Human Touch’, has excellent provenance. It is an outstanding find for collectors of Olsen, Australian art or those navigating change. Contact us to learn more about this collector’s opportunity.

John OLSEN (1928 - 2023)
'Self Portrait in a Kangaroo Landscape' 1983
mixed media on paper
Image Size: 80 x 60 cm
Dimensions: 124 x 111 x 7 cm
Signed: John Olsen,dated, lower right
Comes with Letter of Provenance

REFERENCE:
John Olsen: Drawing - The Human Touch, K. McGregor, published by Macmillan Art Publishing, Melbourne Australia 2014, illustrated page 193.

Condition: Excellent. 

(c) John Olsen / Copyright Agency 2024

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