The light and shade behind John Olsen’s genius
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The light and shade behind John Olsen’s genius
“The first time John Olsen applied for Sydney’s National Art School, he failed the entry test. That was in 1945 as a teenager. In 2021, aged 93, he told this story with great relish to the opening night audience at what was to be his last major exhibition, John Olsen: Goya’s Dog. It was in the NAS Gallery at the National Art School, where he did eventually get in to study in the early 1950s, and later taught after returning from several years in Spain in the early 1960s.”
Steven Alderton, Director and CEO of NAS, writes for the Financial Review on the passing of NAS Alumus and fellow John Olsen.
Latest News
Friday 27 February 2026
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Friday 27 February 2026
Congratulations to National Art School alum Tommy Carman as the recipient of this year’s Prudence MacLeod Prize. Supported by the Lansdowne Foundation, Tommy will undertake a 6-month residency at Acme Studios, London from July this year. Selection Panel Statement The selection panel was thoroughly impressed with the high calibre of applications across a diverse range of practices. The shortlisted…
Thursday 26 February 2026
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Thursday 26 February 2026
Made possible through the generous support of Sam Watkins, PIMCO Australia, we are delighted to announce a new scholarship that supports a talented First Nations artist undertaking the Bachelor of Fine Art. Congratulations to Matthew Thomson as the inaugural recipient. Matthew, a Worimi country man, grew up in the Maroubra beach / La Perouse area and commences at the National Art School as a BFA…
Tuesday 24 February 2026
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Tuesday 24 February 2026
Following a short fundraising campaign, the National Art School archive and collections has recently acquired Sydney Gaol, an extremely rare album containing original photographs of our site and building. Our sincerest thanks to all our donors who made this acquisition possible. Email [email protected] to make an appointment to view this new acquisition.