The light and shade behind John Olsen’s genius

The light and shade behind John Olsen’s genius

2023-04-17

“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.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Join us for a dynamic program of public events at the National Art School to celebrate the opening of the major exhibition `The Neighbour at the Gate`. Opening during NAIDOC week, the public program will take place over two days, Friday 11 and Saturday 12 July.

Friday 11 July:
Join us for a day of panel discussions with the guest curatorium let by Clothilde Bullen OAM, for artist talks, and artist-led demonstrations.
RSVP essential – limited capacity.

Saturday 12 July:
From 11am to 3pm, enjoy a community-friendly day of free activities, including mindfulness sessions led by Madina Yoga and creative drop-in workshops. Contribute a clay piece to the exhibition and take home your own textile tassel or hand-printed tote bag.

From 5pm, the celebration continues outdoors with a free evening of DJ sets featuring DJ Rocky Stallone, Sveta, and Mason Kimber.

Visit our website to view the full program (link in bio).

#naidocweek #whatsonsydney

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Jun 27

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Join us for a dynamic program of public events at the National Art School to celebrate the opening of the major exhibition 'The Neighbour at the Gate'. Opening during NAIDOC week, the public program will take place over two days, Friday 11 and Saturday 12 July.

Friday 11 July:
Join us for a day of panel discussions with the guest curatorium let by Clothilde Bullen OAM, for artist talks, and artist-led demonstrations.
RSVP essential – limited capacity.

Saturday 12 July:
From 11am to 3pm, enjoy a community-friendly day of free activities, including mindfulness sessions led by Madina Yoga and creative drop-in workshops. Contribute a clay piece to the exhibition and take home your own textile tassel or hand-printed tote bag.

From 5pm, the celebration continues outdoors with a free evening of DJ sets featuring DJ Rocky Stallone, Sveta, and Mason Kimber.

Visit our website to view the full program (link in bio).

#naidocweek #whatsonsydney

Join us at the Shared Skies Music Concert with BARKAA, Rainbow Chan and DJ Rocky Stallone, our major program event for the opening weekend of The Neighbour at the Gate. Held in the historic Cell Block Theatre, don’t miss this celebration of culture, identity and sound.

BARKAA @barkaa__ is a Malyangapa, Barkindji woman from western NSW, now living in south western Sydney on Gandangara land. Music has been part of BARKAA’s journey to express herself, the truth and issues impacting First Nations people. BARKAA has made a name for herself with her powerful delivery and lyrics, and her live shows are full of energy and raw intense emotion.

Rainbow Chan @chunyinrainbowchan is an award-winning vocalist, producer and multi-disciplinary artist. Driven by a DIY spirit, Chan melds catchy melodies and off-kilter beats made up of field-recordings and found sounds. Both heartbreaking and tender, her idiosyncratic brand of pop reflects diasporic experiences and deeply personal tales of love and loss.

Multi-hyphenate DJ, MC, podcaster and esteemed Ballroom community member of Samoan heritage, Rocky Stallone @rocky_stall0ne, is known for creating safe spaces and events for queer POC, gracing the decks at balls and functions across the country. Expect to hear a seamless mix of house, R&B, Baille funk, and more, including hot and heaving remixes that will wind your waist.

Saturday 12 July
8 – 10.30pm
Cell Block Theatre

Buy tickets at the link in bio.

View the full program of opening weekend events, including artist talks, artmaking workshops, and community activities, at nas.edu.au.

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Jun 26

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There`s still time to make a tax deductible donation towards our Pathways Program this EOFY.

To everyone who has already donated, thank you. Your support helps ensure the National Art School is accessible to people from all backgrounds.

Visit link in our bio today to find our more, and help us create crucial pathways to propel our students and alumni to become leading international artists.

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Jun 25

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There's still time to make a tax deductible donation towards our Pathways Program this EOFY.

To everyone who has already donated, thank you. Your support helps ensure the National Art School is accessible to people from all backgrounds.

Visit link in our bio today to find our more, and help us create crucial pathways to propel our students and alumni to become leading international artists.

The National Art School is saddened to hear of the passing of Fellow and alumnus Kevin Connor at the age of 92 (1932-2025).

In 1948, at the age of 16, he enrolled as a night student at what was then called East Sydney Technical College, while training as a commercial artist in the city. His employer paid the fees for his art classes.

In later years he recalled that he had a life changing experience at art school, when he realised that: ‘The nature of art is both enigmatic and non-commercial - a realisation that has stayed with me well into my old age.’

A prolific and dedicated artist, Kevin Connor held more than 70 solo exhibitions throughout his life, including exhibiting in the Archibald Prize over 25 times. Connor won the Archibald Prize in 1975 and 1977, the Sulman Prize in 1991 and 1997, and the Dobell Prize for Drawing in 1992 and 2005. He was the Harkness Fellow in New York from 1966 to 1968 and a Trustee of the Art Gallery of New South Wales from 1981 to 1987.

Connor was a much respected teacher, and he lectured in painting and drawing at the National Art School, among other colleges, between 1972 and 1987.
The first major survey of his work was held at the AGNSW in 1989. In 2006, Hendrik Kolenberg curated a major retrospective of Connor’s drawing, sculpture and painting at AGNSW.

In 2016, Connor was made a Fellow of the National Art School, and he donated works to the National Art School Collection when he was included in the exhibition ‘National Art: Part One’ in the NAS Gallery 2018.

The National Art School offers its deepest sympathies to Kevin Connor’s family and friends.
—
Kevin Connor, aged 15, 1947, photo courtesy Connor family; Ann Cape, `Kevin Connor`, 1974, pencil on paper, 26.5 x 24.5cm, NAS Collection, gift of Ann Cape 2011; Kevin Connor, `Haymarket Morning`, 2013, oil on canvas, 102 x 122cm, NAS Collection, gift of Kevin Connor 2018

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Jun 25

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The National Art School is saddened to hear of the passing of Fellow and alumnus Kevin Connor at the age of 92 (1932-2025).

In 1948, at the age of 16, he enrolled as a night student at what was then called East Sydney Technical College, while training as a commercial artist in the city. His employer paid the fees for his art classes.

In later years he recalled that he had a life changing experience at art school, when he realised that: ‘The nature of art is both enigmatic and non-commercial - a realisation that has stayed with me well into my old age.’

A prolific and dedicated artist, Kevin Connor held more than 70 solo exhibitions throughout his life, including exhibiting in the Archibald Prize over 25 times. Connor won the Archibald Prize in 1975 and 1977, the Sulman Prize in 1991 and 1997, and the Dobell Prize for Drawing in 1992 and 2005. He was the Harkness Fellow in New York from 1966 to 1968 and a Trustee of the Art Gallery of New South Wales from 1981 to 1987.

Connor was a much respected teacher, and he lectured in painting and drawing at the National Art School, among other colleges, between 1972 and 1987.
The first major survey of his work was held at the AGNSW in 1989. In 2006, Hendrik Kolenberg curated a major retrospective of Connor’s drawing, sculpture and painting at AGNSW.

In 2016, Connor was made a Fellow of the National Art School, and he donated works to the National Art School Collection when he was included in the exhibition ‘National Art: Part One’ in the NAS Gallery 2018.

The National Art School offers its deepest sympathies to Kevin Connor’s family and friends.
—
Kevin Connor, aged 15, 1947, photo courtesy Connor family; Ann Cape, 'Kevin Connor', 1974, pencil on paper, 26.5 x 24.5cm, NAS Collection, gift of Ann Cape 2011; Kevin Connor, 'Haymarket Morning', 2013, oil on canvas, 102 x 122cm, NAS Collection, gift of Kevin Connor 2018

We’re looking for an Event Manager - Application Deadline Sunday 29 June

The Event Manager will have strong experience in hospitality, licensed venue operations, and event delivery. This role delivers a wide range of internal and external events, including Graduate Shows, Gallery Openings, Public Programs, Fundraisers, and Open Day. NAS also operates as a commercial venue, hiring the Cell Block Theatre for weddings, corporate events, and product launches.

Apply at the link in bio.

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Jun 22

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We’re looking for an Event Manager - Application Deadline Sunday 29 June

The Event Manager will have strong experience in hospitality, licensed venue operations, and event delivery. This role delivers a wide range of internal and external events, including Graduate Shows, Gallery Openings, Public Programs, Fundraisers, and Open Day. NAS also operates as a commercial venue, hiring the Cell Block Theatre for weddings, corporate events, and product launches.

Apply at the link in bio.

Call out for all National Art School alumni and staff: There are only 8 days left to apply for two international residency opportunities for 2026: The Onslow Storrier NAS Residency La Cité Internationale Des Arts, Paris and The British School at Rome.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant art scenes of two iconic European cities, Paris and Rome, and further develop your artistic practice in an enriching cultural environment.

Visit our website for more information and apply before Sunday 29 June 2025 (link in bio).

—
Sophia Lee Georgas BSR Open Studio, 2023, image courtesy and © The British School at Rome; Harry de Vries BSR Open Studio, 2024, image courtesy and © The British School at Rome

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Jun 21

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The light and shade behind John Olsen’s genius