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{{Short description|Australian artist (1923–2011)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2011}}
{{Infobox artist
| name = Margaret Olley
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|AC}}
| image = Margaret Olley.jpg
| imagesize =
| alt = Margaret Olley in August 2009
| caption = Margaret Olley in August 2009
| birth_name = Margaret Hannah Olley
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1923|6|24|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Lismore, New South Wales]], Australia
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2011|7|26|1923|6|24|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Paddington, New South Wales]], Australia
| nationality = Australian
| field = [[Painting]]
| training = [[National Art School|East Sydney Technical College]]
| movement =
| works = Still life with pink fish (1948), [[Art Gallery of New South Wales|AGNSW]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Still life with pink fish, 1948 by Margaret Olley |url=https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/works/8094/ |access-date=2022-02-27 |website=www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au |language=en}}</ref>
| patrons =
| awards = [[Mosman Art Prize]] (1947)
| elected =
| website =
}}
[[File:(1)Margaret Olley house Paddington.jpg|thumb|right|Olley's home in [[Paddington, New South Wales|Paddington]]]]
'''Margaret Hannah Olley''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AC}} (24 June 1923{{spaced ndash}}26 July 2011) was an Australian painter. She held over ninety solo exhibitions during her lifetime.
==
Margaret Olley was born in [[Lismore, New South Wales]]. She was the eldest of three children of Joseph Olley and Grace (née Temperley). The Olley family moved to [[Tully, Queensland|Tully]] in far north Queensland in 1925, with Margaret boarding at [[Cathedral School, Townsville|St Anne's]] in Townsville in 1929, before returning to New South Wales in 1931. The family temporarily moved to Brisbane in 1935 with Margaret staying to attend [[Somerville House]] in [[Brisbane]] during her high school years. She was so focused on art that she dropped one French class in order to take another art lesson with teacher and artist [[Caroline Barker (artist)|Caroline Barker]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite encyclopedia|url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/barker-caroline-12174|title=Barker, Caroline (1894–1988)|last=Cooke|first=Glenn R.|date=2007|dictionary=[[Australian Dictionary of Biography]]|publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311014934/http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/barker-caroline-12174|archive-date=11 March 2018|url-status=live|access-date=11 March 2018}}</ref>
In 1941, Margaret commenced classes at [[Brisbane Central Technical College]] and then moved to [[Sydney]] in 1943 to enrol in an Art Diploma course at [[East Sydney Technical College]] where she graduated with A-class honours in 1945.
== Career ==
Olley concentrated on [[still life]] and colour.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Barrett|first1=Rosanne|title=Australian Artist Margaret Olley Talks About Giving Back|url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB124045863685446891|accessdate=14 July 2014|publisher=Wall Street Journal Asia|date=24 April 2009}}</ref>
[[James Vincent Duhig|James V. Duhig]] reporting on her 1962 sell-out show at [[Johnstone Gallery]] in [[Brisbane]] wrote; "Margaret Olley has reached the flood tide of her art and has stepped up to the top rank of our artists," noting also that all the paintings sold at preview for a gross of £3000, then an Australian record for a woman, but attracted no interest from Brisbane Art Gallery.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Duhig |first=James V. |date=3 November 1962 |title=The Flood Tide |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-673245027 |journal=The Bulletin |volume=84 |issue=4316 |pages=36}}</ref>
In 1997 a major retrospective of her work was organised by the [[Art Gallery of New South Wales]]. She received the inaugural [[Mosman Art Prize]] in 1947.
== Newcastle ==
In November 1965 Olley moved to [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]]. Whilst living here she painted 23 paintings of the city and waterfront in a series known as the 'Newcastle Watercolours'.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Margaret Olley Far From a Still Life|last=Stewart|first=Meg|publisher=Random House Australia|year=2005|isbn=1-74051-314-2|___location=Sydney, Australia|pages=380–382}}</ref> Olley began a 'love affair' with the city and bought several properties in Newcastle and at East Maitland. This established a long association with the city and a major influence on her work.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gregory|first=Helen|date=29 July 2020|title=Margaret Olley – a treasured original|work=Newcastle Herald|url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/473470/margaret-olley-a-treasured-original/|access-date=16 September 2020}}</ref> Several of her paintings can be found in institutions in Newcastle and the Hunter including, the [[University of Newcastle (Australia)|University of Newcastle]], [[Newcastle Art Gallery]] and [[Maitland Regional Art Gallery]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-11-02|title=UON Collection artwork by Margaret Olley travels to Orange Regional Gallery|url=https://www.newcastle.edu.au/newsroom/community-and-alumni/the-university-gallery/margaret-olley-work-to-be-exhibited-at-orange-regional-gallery|access-date=2021-06-27|website=The University of Newcastle, Australia|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=LEAVING A LEGACY Margaret Olley's gifts to Newcastle|url=https://nag.org.au/exhibitions/current/archives/2012/leaving-a-legacy-margaret-olley's-gifts-to-newcast|access-date=27 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Margaret Olley|url=https://mrag.org.au/learn/collection/collection-highlights/margaret-olley/|access-date=2021-06-27|website=MRAG|language=en-AU}}</ref>
== Philanthropy ==
On 13 July 2006 she donated more works to the [[Art Gallery of New South Wales]]; her donations included more than 130 works worth $7 million.<ref>Kruger, P. 13 July 2006. [http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2006/s1686334.htm Margaret Olley donates important collection to Art Gallery of NSW] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060718193536/http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2006/s1686334.htm |date=18 July 2006 }}, ABC News</ref>
== Tributes and honours ==
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Margaret olley still life 1975.JPG|thumb|Margaret Olley's ''Early morning still life'' (1975)|left]] -->
Olley was twice the subject of an [[Archibald Prize]] [[List of Archibald Prize winners|winning painting]]; the first in 1948 by [[William Dobell]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/works/8164/|title=Margaret Olley|last=Dobell|first=William|date=1948|website=AGNSW collection record|publisher=Art Gallery of New South Wales|access-date=10 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603204019/http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/works/8164/|archive-date=3 June 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> who painted her in a borrowed wedding dress made of parachute silk, and the other in 2011 by [[Ben Quilty]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/archibald/2011/|title=Archibald Prize|date=2011|website=AGNSW prize record|publisher=Art Gallery of New South Wales|access-date=10 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506015629/http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/archibald/2011/|archive-date=6 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation
|last = Westwood
|first = Matthew
|title = Margaret Olley leaves her hat on for Ben Quilty's win
|newspaper = The Australian
|date = 16 April 2011
|url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/margaret-olley-leaves-her-hat-on-for-ben-quiltys-win/story-e6frg6nf-1226039943734
|accessdate = 16 April 2011
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160325110550/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/margaret-olley-leaves-her-hat-on-for-ben-quiltys-win/story-e6frg6nf-1226039943734
|archive-date = 25 March 2016
|url-status = live}}</ref> She was also the subject of paintings by many of her artist friends, including [[Russell Drysdale]]<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/artist-margaret-olley-dead-20110726-1hxxr.html Artist Margaret Olley dead] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104161235/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/artist-margaret-olley-dead-20110726-1hxxr.html |date=4 January 2012 }}, ''The Sydney Morning Herald'', 26 July 2011</ref> and several by [[Danelle Bergstrom]] including a triptych portrait that was a finalist in the 2003 Archibald Prize.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/archibald/2003/22972/|title=Archibald Prize Archibald 2003 finalist: Conversation with Margaret Olley by Danelle Bergstrom|website=[[Art Gallery of New South Wales]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620122533/http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/archibald/2003/22972/|archive-date=20 June 2016|url-status=live|access-date=10 August 2018}}</ref>
On 10 June 1991, in the [[Queen's Birthday]] Honours list, Olley was made an Officer of the [[Order of Australia]] "for service as an artist and to the promotion of art". On 12 June 2006, she was awarded Australia's highest civilian honour, the Companion of the Order, "for service as one of Australia's most distinguished artists, for support and philanthropy to the visual and performing arts, and for encouragement of young and emerging artists".
In 2006, Olley was awarded the degree [[Doctor of Fine Arts]] [[Honorary degree|honoris causa]] by the [[University of Newcastle, Australia|University of Newcastle]].<ref>2006. [http://www.newcastle.edu.au/alumni/honorary-degrees.html Honorary degrees] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108033917/http://www.newcastle.edu.au/alumni/honorary-degrees.html |date=8 November 2011 }}, The University of Newcastle, Australia</ref>
== Final exhibition ==
Of the last paintings that Olley did before her death, 27 were exhibited at Sotheby's Australia in [[Woollahra, New South Wales|Woollahra]] in an exhibition entitled ''The Inner Sanctum of Margaret Olley'' that opened on 2 March 2012. Olley had put the final touches on the show the day before she died and Philip Bacon, who had exhibited her work for decades, had prepared a catalogue to show her that weekend.<ref>{{Citation
|last = Taylor
|first = Andrew
|title = Final flowering of a dazzling talent
|newspaper = The Sydney Morning Herald
|date = 12 February 2012
|url = http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/final-flowering-of-a-dazzling-talent-20120211-1sy8x.html#ixzz1oIqZBII2
|accessdate = 5 March 2012
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120316100823/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/final-flowering-of-a-dazzling-talent-20120211-1sy8x.html#ixzz1oIqZBII2
|archive-date = 16 March 2012
|url-status = live}}</ref> The opening night was attended by about 350 people among whom were the [[Governor-General of Australia]], [[Quentin Bryce]], who gave an address, in which she said that Olley's work was often just like the artist, "filled with optimism".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gg.gov.au/speech.php/view/id/1057/title/official-opening-of-the-margaret-olley-exhibition|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316191855/http://www.gg.gov.au/speech.php/view/id/1057/title/official-opening-of-the-margaret-olley-exhibition|url-status=dead|title=Address by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia on the occasion of the Official opening of the Margaret Olley Exhibition|archivedate=16 March 2012}}</ref> Other attendees at the opening included [[Penelope Wensley]], the [[Governor of Queensland]], [[Edmund Capon]], [[Ben Quilty]] and [[Barry Humphries]].<ref>{{Citation
|last = Murphy
|first = Damien
|title = Private Sydney: Olley Exhibition opening a friendly occasion
|newspaper = The Sydney Morning Herald
|date = 3 March 2012
|url = http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/private-sydney/kylie-the-mardi-star-20120302-1u849.html
|accessdate = 5 March 2012
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120305013445/http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/private-sydney/kylie-the-mardi-star-20120302-1u849.html
|archive-date = 5 March 2012
|url-status = live}}</ref>
== Death ==
Olley died at her home in [[Paddington, New South Wales|Paddington]] in July 2011, aged 88.<ref>[http://abc.net.au/news/2011-07-26/margaret-olley-passes-at-88/2810918 Artist Margaret Olley dead] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726233434/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-26/margaret-olley-passes-at-88/2810918 |date=26 July 2011 }}, ''Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)'', 26 July 2011.</ref> The cause of her death was [[respiratory failure]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/weekend-australian-magazine/margaret-olley-she-was-racing-against-time/news-story/168d508da9a29c5b12e1ee233697a71f|url-access=subscription|title=Margaret Olley: she was racing against time|newspaper=[[The Australian]]|date=25 February 2012|access-date=24 March 2023}}</ref> She never married and had no children. Her Paddington home sold for over three million dollars in July 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://house.ksou.cn/p.php?q=48+Duxford+Street,+Paddington+NSW,+Australia&lat=-33.883242&lng=151.228352|title=48 Duxford Street, Paddington NSW, Australia – Property Sold Prices|website=house.ksou.cn|accessdate=10 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810105921/http://house.ksou.cn/p.php?q=48+Duxford+Street,+Paddington+NSW,+Australia&lat=-33.883242&lng=151.228352|archive-date=10 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Legacy ==
[[File:Paddington flowering tree.jpg|right|thumbnail|Hibiscus in flower in front yard of her Paddington home, March 2014]]
[[File:(1)Wendy Whiteleys Garden 022.jpg|thumb|right|Antique fountain originally in Margaret Olley's Paddington garden, now part of [[Wendy Whiteley]]'s garden at [[Lavender Bay, New South Wales|Lavender Bay]]]]
After Olley's death, the Art Gallery of New South Wales used funds donated by its Collection Circle to purchase [[Nasturtiums (E. Phillips Fox)|''Nasturtiums'']], a painting by [[Emanuel Phillips Fox|E. Phillips Fox]] as a memorial to her.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/work/400.2011/|title=Nasturtiums|last=Fox|first=E Phillips|date=c. 1912|website=AGNSW collection record|publisher=Art Gallery of New South Wales|accessdate=20 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322075257/http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/work/400.2011/|archive-date=22 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
Her ideas about art were explored in conversations held between 19 October 2009 and 22 September 2010 with author Barry Pearce, whose book based on them was published in the year of her death.<ref>{{cite book|last=Pierce|first=Barry|title=Margaret Olley|year=2012|publisher=The Beagle Press}}</ref>
Part of Olley's [[Paddington, New South Wales|Paddington]] house, well known for its items that the painter collected and used as subject matter for her art, described as "her lifelong installation",<ref>{{Citation
|last = Meacham
|first = Steve
|title = Behold this mess, where the spirit of a treasured artist dwells
|newspaper = The Sydney Morning Herald
|date = 20 August 2011
|url = http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/behold-this-mess-where-the-spirit-of-a-treasured-artist-dwells-20110819-1j2o0.html#ixzz1oImz0jqW
|accessdate = 5 March 2012
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130714035758/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/behold-this-mess-where-the-spirit-of-a-treasured-artist-dwells-20110819-1j2o0.html#ixzz1oImz0jqW
|archive-date = 14 July 2013
|url-status = live}}</ref>
has been recreated at the [[Tweed River (New South Wales)|Tweed River]] Art Gallery, an area not far from where the artist was born. The architect of the Tweed's new Margaret Olley Centre, Bud Brannigan, said that it would be faithful to Olley's house, "in all of its glory".<ref>{{Citation| last = Meacham| first = Steve
| title = State of the art| newspaper = The Sydney Morning Herald
| date = 21 January 2012| url = http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/about-town/a-spirited-house-20120223-1torw.html#ixzz1oIh06uzJ| accessdate = 5 March 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131122090913/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/about-town/a-spirited-house-20120223-1torw.html#ixzz1oIh06uzJ| archive-date = 22 November 2013| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation
| last = Morgan
| first = Joyce
| title = A spirited house
| newspaper = The Sydney Morning Herald
| date = 25 February 2012
| url = http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/about-town/a-spirited-house-20120223-1torw.html#ixzz1oIh06uzJ
| accessdate = 5 March 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131122090913/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/about-town/a-spirited-house-20120223-1torw.html#ixzz1oIh06uzJ
| archive-date = 22 November 2013
| url-status = live }}</ref>
There is a comprehensive photographic record of her studio and work, shot on the morning she died, by artist photographer Greg Weight. This suite of prints, has been donated to the Tweed River Art Gallery.
A documentary by [[Catherine Hunter (filmmaker)|Catherine Hunter]], ''Margaret Olley – A Life in Paint'' follows Olley as she completes her last – and many believe her finest – works, those painted in the 18 months leading up to her death.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/07/22/3550657.html|title=Margaret Olley: A Life in Paint | publisher=ABC TV|date=22 July 2012}}</ref> The critically acclaimed<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/tuesday-july-24-20120718-228ys.html|title= A Life in Paint|publisher=The Age|date=24 July 2012}}</ref> film interprets Olley's style, passion and artistic evolution through the reflections of her peers, including former National Gallery of Australia director [[Betty Churcher]], curator [[Barry Pearce]] and [[Ben Quilty]], whose portrait of Olley won the 2011 Archibald Prize.
In 2020, a [[river-class ferry]] on the [[Sydney Ferries]] network was named in her honour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nswis.com.au/nswis-news/nswis-alumni-celebrated-on-new-river-class-ferries/|title=NSWIS alumni celebrated on new River Class ferries|publisher=[[New South Wales Institute of Sport]]|date=6 October 2020|access-date=6 October 2023}}</ref>
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Commons category|Margaret Olley}}
* [https://www.google.com.au/search?q=margaret+olley+paintings&biw=1179&bih=810&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj28YP51b_LAhUEGZQKHSxGDZ0Q_AUIBigB Margaret Olley paintings at google.com]
* [https://archive.today/20060824130254/http://www.philipbacon.com.au/artists/MargaretOlley/notes.html Phillip Bacon Galleries, Margaret Olley: Biographical notes]
* [https://archive.today/20060906064409/http://www.evabreuerartdealer.com.au/cv/olley_margaret_bio.html Margaret Olley: Biography]
* [http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/artists/olley-margaret/ Margaret Olley] at the [[Art Gallery of New South Wales]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080720140339/http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/margaretolley/ Margaret Olley] Australian Government Cultural and Recreational Portal (Retrieved 23-July-2007)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080806002620/http://home.vicnet.net.au/~abr/Niall%20review%20-%20Margaret%20Olley.htm Tyranny of the tape recorder by Brenda Niall] ABR of ''Margaret Olley: Far from a Still Life'' by Meg Stewart
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080721213700/http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/files/magazine/OlleyFEB-APRIL%202006.pdf Margaret Olley & Donald Friend, 21 January – 19 March 2006] S H Ervin Gallery (Retrieved 23-July-2007)
* [http://www.grafico-qld.com/content/margaret-olley Margaret Olley review by Grafico Topico's Sue Smith]
* [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/art-obituaries/8673750/Margaret-Olley.html Obituary of Margaret Olley, The Daily Telegraph, 31 July 2011]
* [http://www.daao.org.au/bio/margaret-olley/ Design and Art Australia Online Biographical Record]
* [https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/dls06p/alma99183893721102061 Margaret Olley digital story and oral history], [[State Library of Queensland]]. Part of the [https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/dls06p/alma99294843402061 Johnstone Gallery digital stories and oral histories collection]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Olley, Margaret}}
[[Category:1923 births]]
[[Category:2011 deaths]]
[[Category:Australian monarchists]]
[[Category:Companions of the Order of Australia]]
[[Category:National Art School alumni]]
[[Category:People from Lismore, New South Wales]]
[[Category:Queensland Greats]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian philanthropists]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian women philanthropists]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian painters]]
[[Category:Australian modern painters]]
[[Category:People educated at Somerville House]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian women painters]]
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