A Who’s Who of Australia’s elite – from politicians to businesspeople to painters – gather to say a last goodbye to one of the country’s most respected artists aged 95
- Mourners pay tribute to artist John Olsen
- Artists and politicians were at state memorial
- Painter died in April aged 95
Artist John Olsen has been remembered as a man of talent and charisma who brought untold joy to many people.
Who’s who of the art world united on Monday to pay tribute to the painter who revolutionised the way people saw the Australian landscape at a moving state memorial service in Sydney.
Wendy Whiteley, Ken Done and Ben Quilty were among those in the crowd at the Art Gallery of NSW, along with the gallery’s director Dr Michael Brand.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese, federal arts minister Tony Burke and NSW premier Chis Minns were also there to pay their respects.
Wendy Whiteley, the former wife of late artist Brett Whiteley was among the mourners at the state memorial for the late artist Dr John Olsen
The state memorial was attended by many high profile mourners, including NSW Premier Chris Minns (pictured with wife Anna)
Louise Olsen paid an emotional tribute to her late father at his state memorial on Monday
Other guests included NSW Governor Margaret Beazley and actress Susie Porter.
Master of ceremonies Michael Yabsley told mourners Olsen had charisma by the truckload, even in his later years.
‘When it came to lighting up a room he was in a class of his own – remarkably, in the twilight of his life, John was still in the prime of his life,’ he told mourners.
He remembered the artist as a bon vivant, a cook, philanthropist, teacher, mentor, lover of literature, and businessman too.
‘The great man would say the only embellishment to an outstanding piece of art should be a red dot.’
Olsen’s daughter Louise delivered a moving eulogy while several of his beloved grandchildren performed readings.
The Sydney Art Quartet played some of Olsen’s favourite pieces of music, before musician William Barton performed his piece Spirit of the Landscape for voice and didgeridoo.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) chats to Gallery of NSW Director Dr Michael Brand (right) as he arrives for John Olsen’s state memorial
Georgia Blake gave a reading at the State memorial for her late grandfather John Olsen
Who’s who of the Australian art world attended John Olsen’s state memorial, including artist Ben Quilty (left)
The memorial featured a number of performances, including musician William Barton
Wendy Whiteley (left) wore dark sunglasses as she arrived at the Art Gallery of NSW
‘Now Uncle John is up there painting those big dreaming stories too with those elders of our landscape and our mother country… his paintbrush was his message stick,’ Barton said.
Opera singer Aimee Skinner also performed.
Olsen’s career spanned nearly seven decades and he died on April 11, aged 95.
He won the Wynne, Sulman and Archibald Prizes and was awarded the Order of Australia and an OBE.
Australian artist Ken Done (right) attended John Olsen’s state memorial with wife Judith
Australian actress Susie Porter (pictured) was also among the mourners at Art Gallery Of NSW
