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

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

by Danielle Neely

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

Enjoy 10% off when you book a Term Two Short Course with our early bird discount. Offer ends this Sunday, so book now.

Find out more at the link in bio.

Mar 10

Enjoy 10% off when you book a Term Two Short Course with our early bird discount. Offer ends this Sunday, so book now. Find out more at the link in bio.

Our academic year kicked off with Drawing Week, a program of drawing intensive workshops for our 2nd and 3rd year BFA students.

At the @sydneyoperahouse workshop, led by Drawing Lecturer Tango Conway, students were invited to experiment and expand their practice in an environment rarely open to the public.

Learn more about the BFA program at the link in bio.

Mar 9

Our academic year kicked off with Drawing Week, a program of drawing intensive workshops for our 2nd and 3rd year BFA students. At the @sydneyoperahouse workshop, led by Drawing Lecturer Tango Conway, students were invited to experiment and expand their practice in an environment rarely open to the public. Learn more about the BFA program at the link in bio.

The National Art School was proud to launch our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and First Peoples Centre Darani Ngalawada last night.

The RAP articulates our commitment to strengthening relationships between Australia’s First Peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, acknowledging the truth and ongoing impact of colonisation, while cultivating a positive future together through education.

NAS always was, always will be on unceded Gadigal Land.

To read our RAP, visit nas.edu.au.

Mar 7

The National Art School was proud to launch our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and First Peoples Centre Darani Ngalawada last night. The RAP articulates our commitment to strengthening relationships between Australia’s First Peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, acknowledging the truth and ongoing impact of colonisation, while cultivating a positive future together through education. NAS always was, always will be on unceded Gadigal Land. To read our RAP, visit nas.edu.au.

Become a part of our community of art lovers and support the next generation of artists.

Unlock exclusive access to a specialist program of annual events such as exhibition previews, curator-led tours, artist talks, studio visits, and artists’ parties.

Find out more at the link in bio.

Mar 5

Become a part of our community of art lovers and support the next generation of artists. Unlock exclusive access to a specialist program of annual events such as exhibition previews, curator-led tours, artist talks, studio visits, and artists’ parties. Find out more at the link in bio.

This is your last week to experience ‘Queer Contemporary: Chaosophy’, an exhibition that brings together three generations of queer artists who make and break language across the intersections of art, activism, poetry and performance; as part of Mardi Gras 2025.

Curated by Dr Liz Bradshaw, with work by artists Kika Kereru Baker, Daniel Browning, Sam Chan, Blake Griffiths, Frankie L.A, nikita lelu, r e a, Victoria Spence, Jake Starr, Ali Tahayori, Magic Young and Justine Youssef.

Plan your visit at the link in bio.

Mar 2

This is your last week to experience ‘Queer Contemporary: Chaosophy’, an exhibition that brings together three generations of queer artists who make and break language across the intersections of art, activism, poetry and performance; as part of Mardi Gras 2025. Curated by Dr Liz Bradshaw, with work by artists Kika Kereru Baker, Daniel Browning, Sam Chan, Blake Griffiths, Frankie L.A, nikita lelu, r e a, Victoria Spence, Jake Starr, Ali Tahayori, Magic Young and Justine Youssef. Plan your visit at the link in bio.

Welcome back students!

Today we were pleased to have students—both new and returning—at NAS for Orientation Week. Our new Director & CEO Dr Kristen Sharp was on campus this week to welcome all students and share her vision for the year ahead.

Here’s to 2025.

Feb 28

Welcome back students! Today we were pleased to have students—both new and returning—at NAS for Orientation Week. Our new Director & CEO Dr Kristen Sharp was on campus this week to welcome all students and share her vision for the year ahead. Here’s to 2025.