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SMH: ‘At last she is being heard’: Valerie Strong, matriarch of the Olsen family, has first solo exhibition

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SMH: ‘At last she is being heard’: Valerie Strong, matriarch of the Olsen family, has first solo exhibition

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Article by Linda Morris

Valerie Strong was a student at East Sydney Technical College when John Olsen was briefly a teacher. The man who is now one of Australia’s most famous living artists praised Strong’s marks on paper: “I should have done that. I wish I’d done that line.”

That first interaction led to a passionate marriage, two children, divorce and the beginnings of a living artistic dynasty that has, for the most part, revolved around the glittering orb that is the career of Olsen, the Archibald Prize-winning painter.

A new exhibition, however, finally puts the focus on the unsung work of Strong, who died in 2011. It will be held at the National Art School, her alma mater, and is curated by her children, Tim and Louise, who knew her best.

Read more through the link below.

Image: Louise, Valerie and Tim, 1983. Photo: John Lewis

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This holiday season, give the gift of creativity.

Whether your loved one is eager to begin their artistic journey, or they wish to continue learning and making art, a National Art School Gift Card will help them unlock their creative potential.

Give a gift that inspires. Buy a National Art School Gift Card today.

Learn more at the link in bio.

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Dec 19

Open
This holiday season, give the gift of creativity. Whether your loved one is eager to begin their artistic journey, or they wish to continue learning and making art, a National Art School Gift Card will help them unlock their creative potential. Give a gift that inspires. Buy a National Art School Gift Card today. Learn more at the link in bio.

Congratulations to all HSC students receiving their end of year results today! And to our future students, we look forward to meeting you in 2025.

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Dec 17

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Congratulations to all HSC students receiving their end of year results today! And to our future students, we look forward to meeting you in 2025.

On Tuesday 10 December, the National Art School celebrated the achievements and success of our students through awarding of prizes and scholarships. We would like to congratulate the award recipients for their hard work and thank our lecturers and technicians for their outstanding dedication and commitment to each and every student.

All of the prizes and scholarships awarded have been generously provided by our benefactors and sponsors, and we also thank you for your support.

Major Prize winners (pictured left to right): Oliver Abbott, Caleb Slater, Megan McKenzie, Freyja Fristad, Sarah R. Serfati, Ellen McCalmont, Benjamin Akuila, Chile Bainbridge, Elena Larkin. Photography by Peter Morgan.

View the full list of awards and recipients at the link in bio.

View

Dec 11

Open
On Tuesday 10 December, the National Art School celebrated the achievements and success of our students through awarding of prizes and scholarships. We would like to congratulate the award recipients for their hard work and thank our lecturers and technicians for their outstanding dedication and commitment to each and every student. All of the prizes and scholarships awarded have been generously provided by our benefactors and sponsors, and we also thank you for your support. Major Prize winners (pictured left to right): Oliver Abbott, Caleb Slater, Megan McKenzie, Freyja Fristad, Sarah R. Serfati, Ellen McCalmont, Benjamin Akuila, Chile Bainbridge, Elena Larkin. Photography by Peter Morgan. View the full list of awards and recipients at the link in bio.
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