Margaret Olley: A Generous Life

15th June - 13th October

Gallery of Modern Art

‘A Generous Life’ examines the legacy and influence of much-loved Australian artist, Margaret Olley (1923–2011) who spent a formative part of her career in Brisbane. A charismatic character, she exerted a lasting impact on many artists as a mentor and friend and was also a muse for artists including William Dobell and Jeffrey Smart. The exhibition will profile a life that was immersed in art – her own and those she supported.

Discover more about Margaret Olley with our extensive range of related events, listed below, including talks and tours, to pop-up performances, hands-on workshops and Up Late events. There’s also daily guided tours of the exhibition at 11.00am.

Margaret Olley was born in Lismore in 1923 before moving to Brisbane where her love for painting was nurtured by school teacher and Melbourne National Gallery School trained artist Caroline Barker. In 1942 Olley moved to Sydney and enrolled at the East Sydney Technical College (later the National Art School) where she graduated with first-class honours. Olley then spent her time travelling abroad and living between Brisbane, Newcastle and Sydney.

View Catherine Hunter’s intimate documentary Margaret Olley: A life in paint 2012 (54 mins) weekly in Cinema B, GOMA

Image: Margaret Olley, Australia 1923-2011 / Pomegranates in a basket 1967 / Oil on board / 76 x 101cm / Private collection / © Margaret Olley Art Trust