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.
Students: spaces are still available in Drawing Week 2026 workshops!
These free 4-day workshops run the week before classes commence and are exclusively for students entering their 2nd and 3rd year of the BFA at NAS.
Select from one of 12 distinct focus areas and start the year with a full immersion in the process of making, looking at and thinking about drawing.
Learn more 🔗 in bio.
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Photos: Peter Morgan
Feb 10
Featured in the @sydneymorningherald`s Spectrum — SEARCHERS: Graffiti and Contemporary Art.
Co-curator @fionalowry shares, “Graffiti doesn’t so much ‘lose value’ in the gallery as shift value. On the street, it holds power through risk, speed, territory and peer recognition. In the gallery, different things become visible: form, discipline, lineage and the deep relationship to authorship and mark-making. Part of what the exhibition tries to do is hold those two value systems in tension rather than pretend one replaces the other.”
SEARCHERS continues at the National Art School Gallery until April 11. Open Monday to Saturday, 11am–5pm.
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Installation views: Zan Wimberley
Feb 9
Work at the National Art School!
We`re recruiting a Head of Postgraduate Studies to lead and shape our postgraduate programs, including BFA (Hons), MFA and DFA.
Applications close Sunday 8 March 2026, 5pm.
Learn more 🔗 in bio.
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The Postgrad Show, 2025, photos: Peter Morgan
Feb 6
Opening 12 February — Queer Contemporary, as part of @sydneymardigras
This year`s edition presents `Liz Bradshaw: I didn`t expect to live this long` — an exhibition of large-scale sculpture and installation works that offer a personal and political queering of time, space, materiality, and idea — with student exhibitions organised by Jack Oliver Owen and nikita lelu.
Join us for the opening night on Thursday 12 February, from 6–9pm.
RSVP 🔗 in bio.
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Liz Bradshaw, `Two Pair`, 2023
Feb 1
The National Art School acknowledges that for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and for many other Australians, January 26 is a day of sorrow — marking deep loss, as well as survival.
Across Australia today, communities are coming together to reflect, connect and mark the day respectfully. The National Art School is committed to listening, learning and moving forward together.
For information about events visit antar.org.au and https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/australia-day-sydney
Jan 26
Thank you to all who joined us at last night’s opening.
SEARCHERS: Graffiti and Contemporary Art continues until 11 April.
Open Monday to Saturday, 11am–5pm.
Jan 23
