In memory of Dr John Olsen AO OBE
Esteemed alumnus Dr John Olsen AO OBE first studied at the National Art School in the 1950s, then taught at the school. In 2008 he was bestowed with a NAS Fellowship, the School’s highest honour, in recognition of his contribution to the Australian visual arts community as one of our most eminent and renowned artists.
In lieu of flowers, the Olsen family invites you to make a donation to the National Art School, which John cherished throughout his long career.
“Australia has lost one of our truly remarkable and emblematic artists. John redefined the way we see ourselves, our landscapes, our country and our shared identity. He was also a big part of the National Art School over many decades. Recently he said again to me of his love of NAS and faith in the bright future for artists who train at NAS. Working on John’s last exhibition, Goya’s Dog, with John and his son Tim was an absolute pleasure. John spoke of the Spanish influence and of interpreting the peaks and troughs of the human condition. He was a poet of the Australian landscape, an author of Sydney Harbour, a storyteller of our country and a lyricist of humanity. Forever and eternally an artist who shaped our stories. We send our sincere condolences to Tim, Louise, and the family.”
– Steven Alderton, NAS Director and CEO
Your donation is greatly appreciated and will contribute to supporting the brightest Australian artists of the future.
All donations over $2 are fully tax-deductible.
All donations over $1000 will be acknowledged as a NAS Patron.
Announcing Nakari Thorpe as the chair for the Artists and Curators Panel Talk for The Neighbour at the Gate this Saturday 12 July.
Nakari Thorpe is a Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Gooreng Gooreng woman from Victoria and Queensland. She is a presenter and Indigenous Communities reporter with ABC News based in Sydney providing coverage across television, radio and digital. She previously worked as a multi-platform reporter with SBS and NITV covering federal politics in the Canberra Press Gallery at Parliament House and national Indigenous affairs.
Join us for the talk in our historic Cell Block Theatre, 12pm – 1pm on Saturday 12 July, as part of our opening weekend celebrations. Secure your spot and view the full program at the link in bio.
Jul 9
Led by art educators and inspired by James Nguyen’s new installation work `Homeopathies_where trees grow` (2025), join us for a free drop-in artmaking workshop to make your own incense holder out of clay which will become part of the evolving artwork in the NAS Gallery, commissioned for The Neighbour at the Gate.
Next Saturday, 12 July, between 11am – 3pm.
Visit our website to view the full program (link in bio).
The Neighbour at the Gate has been made possible with the generous support of the NSW Government through its Blockbusters Funding initiative.
Jul 8
Next Saturday, join us for a fun-filled day of family friendly, free creative activities. There will be sound baths, drop-in artmaking, children`s activities, an artists and curators panel talk, followed by dj sets and food trucks. Stick around for after-hours access to the gallery and the Shared Skies Music Concert with BARKAA, Rainbow Chan and DJ Rocky Stallone (ticketed, 18+).
Visit our website to view the full program (link in bio).
The Neighbour at the Gate has been made possible with the generous support of the NSW Government through its Blockbusters Funding initiative.
Jul 5
Just over a week to go until the `Shared Skies` music concert featuring BARKAA, "The New Matriarch of Australian Rap" (GQ), and Rainbow Chan, Artist of the Year at the 2022 FBi SMAC Awards. But who’s counting? 👀
🎫 Concession tickets just $25 — link in bio.
@barkaa__
@chunyinrainbowchan
The Neighbour at the Gate has been made possible with the generous support of the NSW Government through its Blockbusters Funding initiative.
Jul 2
One and only✊🏽
Two years after NAS NEO on Gadigal Land, BARKAA returns to Darlinghurst on Saturday 12 July for the `Shared Skies` concert.
We’re proud to offer free Mob Tix 💖 Get your tickets today!
👑@barkaa__
The Neighbour at the Gate has been made possible with the generous support of the NSW Government through its Blockbusters Funding initiative.
Jul 1
“It wasn’t about winning, but the feeling of freedom and connection”
Artist Dennis Golding invited exhibition curatorium member Michael Do and NAS Curator, Exhibitions, Lucy Latella for an intimate look at his work `Bingo` (2025), commissioned for our upcoming exhibition `The Neighbour at the Gate` and produced at the National Art School with the assistance of master printer and artist Janet Parker-Smith (pictured); Carolyn Mckenzie-Craig, NAS Head of Printmaking; and Rebecca O’Shea, NAS Printmaking Studio Technician.
‘Bingo’ (2025) is a ten-metre-long wall installation by Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay artist Dennis Golding that draws from his recollections of family bingo nights hosted by his nan and aunty on Eveleigh Street in Redfern, Sydney. Gathering in an abandoned terrace house, they stitched together joy from what little they had; cutting game cards from cardboard, running power through borrowed cords, and making space for community.
Read the photo essay to learn more about the work and exhibition at nas.edu.au or hear the artist in conversation with grandmother Aunty Ali Golding during the opening weekend celebrations, RSVP at the link in bio.
The Neighbour at the Gate has been made possible with the generous support of the NSW Government through its Blockbusters Funding initiative.
—
Photography by Peter Morgan
Jun 30
