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

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

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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.

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.

A selection of works by our graduating BFA students currently on show at The Grad Show, on until 15 December at NAS Galleries.
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Learn more about the artists and view available works at the link in bio.
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Kaela Jacobs, ‘Tough. (A series of delicate things. I am one of them.)’, 2024, aluminium, silver keyrings, synthetic hair, rivets, 121 x 90 cm
Ellie Pamp, ‘Untitled (Faun series) #2’, 2024, oil on wood board, 20 x 25 cm
Ksenia Kirkbride, ‘Serpent`s Cycle, The Path to Wisdom’, 2024, oil on linen, 100 x 100 cm
James Stewart, ‘sandcastles (mound)’, 2024, terracotta, white earthenware slip, 50 x 49 x 50 cm
Jodie McGill, ‘In conversation with Les’, 2024, oil on Belgium linen, 122 x 91.5 cm
Mitchell Timms, ‘Garden of Odd’, 2024, watercolour and graphite drawing, 21 x 15 cm
Dean O’Brien, ‘The Dear Repose For Limbs With Travel Tired’, 2024, oil on canvas, 91 x 61 x 4 cm
Chaya Atkins, ‘Veil’, 2024, oil on canvas, 80 x 100 cm
Alba Stephen, ‘Small Size Me (CMYK edition)’, 2024, screenprint with acrylic on paper, 19 x 19 cm
Bronte O’Shannessy, ‘Warmth’, 2024, mixed media, 70 x 70 cm

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Dec 13

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A selection of works by our graduating BFA students currently on show at The Grad Show, on until 15 December at NAS Galleries.
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Learn more about the artists and view available works at the link in bio.
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Jacinta Robinson, ‘Sacred Hollow’, 2024, acrylic on raw canvas, 122 x 152 cm
Harriet Clark, ‘Mum21’, 2024, glazed stoneware, 46 x 24 x 24 cm
Libby Moore, ‘Keep me safe’, 2024, plaster of paris, 26 x 14 x 7cm (boxed)
Jeremy Rotenstein, ‘Rose Metal’, 2024, cast metal and sandstone, 38 x 32 x 7 cm
Harrison Chao, ‘Node 4 (Open)’, 2024, oil on canvas, 90 x 120 cm
Gitte Backhausen, ‘Repercussions’, 2024, acrylic on found wooden pegboard, 90 x 60 cm
Gabriel Suni Sallo, ‘Plaza de Armas II’, 2024, acrylic and oil on wooden panel, 120 x 107 x 2.5 cm
Ariel Filler, ‘Pop and Skip’, 2024, oil, acrylic, dry pigment and glue on canvas, 110 x 97 x 2 cm
Sevgi Yilmaz, ‘Residue’, 2024, spray paint on dropcloth, 80 x 45.5 cm
Shauna Carroll, ‘Sacrifice of Andromeda’, 2024, oil on board, 90 cm

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Dec 13

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A selection of works by our graduating BFA students currently on show at The Grad Show, on until 15 December at NAS Galleries.
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Learn more about the artists and view available works at the link in bio.
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Francisca Carrasco-Reyes, ‘Bleeding Light’, 2024, latex on stretched polyester, 74 x 49.5 cm
Samira El Chami, ‘Fruits’, 2024, glazed stoneware, 8.5 x 18.2 x 15.5 cm
Grace Buckley, ‘Blossom’, 2024, canvas, upholstery, fringe, pins, 70 x 41 cm
Harriet Brealey, ‘Wraith’, 2024, etching on Fabriano Rosapina, 49.5 x 35 cm
Ruby McVicar, ‘Go (extension)’, 2024, wooden guillotine, mint pasties, licorice, brass cups, polymer clay, plastic binder, paper, 6 x 34 x 56 cm
Trey Martin, ‘Hallow Bone’, 2024, earthenware, paint, 40 x 25 x 25 cm
Stephanie Barakat, ‘Colonoscocave’, 2024, oil on canvas, 91 x 118 x 4.2 cm
Karim Fares, ‘Pipes’, 2024, plywood, construction adhesive, acrylic paint, spray paint, alcohol markers, PVA, collected stickers, superglue, collected tiles, PVC piping, prop rubber mouse, 20 x 24.5 cm
Olivia Lindgaard, ‘Modern Prey’, 2024, found wood, 165 x 150 x 60 cm
Chloe Lane, ‘Mighty Atom, 2024, oil and acrylic on canvas, 122 x 91 cm

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Dec 13

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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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Dec 11

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The light and shade behind John Olsen’s genius