Guide to the Papers of John Olsen
MS 8015
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: 2016
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Olsen, John, A.O., O.B.E.
- Title
- Papers of John Olsen
- Date Range
- 1957 - 2015
- Collection Number
- MS 8015
- Extent
- 5.3 metres (20 ms boxes + 2 large folio boxes + 2 map folios)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Special Collections (Manuscripts)
Introduction
Scope and Contents
The collection includes the original manuscripts of "Salute to Five bells: John Olsen's opera house journal", 1971-1973, published in 1973 by Angus and Robertson; a volume compiled in 1981 from the original manuscript of "My complete graphics, 1957-1979", published in 1980 by Gryphon Books and sketchbooks, diaries, journals and notebooks from 1966 to 2015 that document John Olsen's life as a visual artist in Australia and overseas.
Conditions Governing Access
Access conditions may apply to this collection, please refer to the collection's catalogue record for further information (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2172069).
Conditions Governing Use
Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.
Preferred Citation
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of John Olsen, National Library of Australia, MS 8015, [class/series/file/item number(s)]'.
Arrangement
Staff assigned a running number to each of the journals and sketchbooks during accessioning, which now appear in the Finding Aid as File 1, File 2 etc. These file numbers differ to those originally assigned by Olsen, as not all of his journals and sketchbooks were assigned a number, while some numbers were duplicated. Olsen's original numbering system appears on the front cover label stickers for each volume.
Item Descriptions
Class 1. Consignment received March 1995, 1971 - 1981
This consignment includes a volume compiled in 1981 from the original manuscript of "My complete graphics, 1957-1979", published in 1980 by Gryphon Books. The volume contains a record of all etchings, lithographs and silk screens of this period; manuscript extracts from diaries; copies of photographs; memoirs and opinions of George Baldessin, Brett Whiteley, Fred Williams, Rudy Komon, Leonard French, Ian Fairweather and John Molvio; and 24 original drawings by Olsen. This consignment also includes the original manuscripts of "Salute to Five bells: John Olsen's opera house journal", 1971-1973, published in 1973 by Angus and Robertson, containing original drawings and a manuscript account of the production of the Sydney Opera House mural.
Series. My complete graphics, 1957-1979 and Salute to Five bells : John Olsen's Opera House Journal
Volume compiled in 1981 from the original manuscript of "My complete graphics, 1957-1979", published in 1980 by Gryphon Books. The volume contains a record of all etchings, lithographs and silk screens of this period; manuscript extracts from diaries; copies of photographs; memoirs and opinions of George Baldessin, Brett Whiteley, Fred Williams, Rudy Komon, Leonard French, Ian Fairweather and John Molvio; and 24 original drawings by Olsen, 1981 (File) - Box 1
Class 2. Consignment received March 2015, 1966 - 2010
A large group of visual diaries, sketchbooks and notebooks created by Olsen over a number of years. They contain notes, sketches, correspondence, photographs, post cards, newspaper cuttings, and ephemera and document Olsen's creative processes. Where they are present, the item description includes the title recorded by Olsen on the individual item. Loose items in journals have been removed and co-located in separate folders.
Journal: 4B. L. Eyre sketch book, 1974-1975 (File 1) - Box 3
Description of trip from Adelaide to Lake Eyre with Vince Serventy, Frank Hodkinson, Tim Storrier, Garth Maron and Stuart Purves. Includes stay at, and landscape around, Clarendon and towns and landscape on the way. Drawings of landscape, roads, buildings, bird life, fish, frogs, the lake and figures.
Diary: No.2. France, England and Portugal, 1966-1968 (File 2) - Box 3
Travelling overseas, references to missing Australia and to car accident and related ongoing issues and treatment of arm injury. Description of time in Spain (including living in Majorca and visits to Toledo and Madrid): village life, people, customs and issues, markets, food and recipes, working arrangements and city architecture, churches, gardens and art. Comments on art (eg abstract impressionism) and perspectives. Photographs (4). Return to London and living and financial arrangements. Travel to Lisbon and Castelo de Vide (describing studio and painting). Entry hand-dated 28th 1968 on p. 244 describes flight to Nadi and reflections on growing Indian population and colonialisation issues. Expense records at rear of journal.
Loose material removed from item No. 2 (File 2a) - Box 3
Includes: post cards, newspaper cuttings, business cards, hotel brochure, drawing of gardens and handwritten extract of Majocar descriptions.
Journal, 1971-1975 (File 3) - Box 3
Covers time in Sydney and Melbourne. Views on art history, developments and particular artists, eg. Giacometti and critics (eg. Haefliger) and visit to Klippel's studio. References to poetry, reading and attending exhibitions. Key projects, eg. pottery (Creswick); tapestry (Salute to Five Bells at the Opera House); and filming in Arnhem Land. Reflections on his work, state of mind, studio and personal/financial circumstances. Also descriptions of Dunk Island trip (1972), boating trip including to Tasmania and Wilson's Promontory and Bali (1973). Some small sketches of crosses, pottery, birds and faces.
Loose material removed from item No. 3 (File 3a) - Box 3
Includes: newspaper cuttings, handwritten note and extracts; post cards; and gallery material (including some dated 1996 and 2011).
Diary: 4A. Dural - Birdsville, 1976 (File 4) - Box 3
References to: Dural; working arrangements; cooking; comments on work of Arthur Boyd and Sidney Nolan; Tao philosophy and Chinese principles of painting; reading and poetry; Birdsville and the channel country; Launceston summer school; ideas on his work (eg. the void and use of line); life classes; and his Brisbane retrospective.
Loose material removed from item No. 4 (File 4a) - Box 3
Includes: handwritten note; cards and correspondence (dated 2010).
Journal: 5B. Egypt, France and Mallorca, 1978 (File 5) - Box 3
Drawings of Australian birdlife and from African trip, including: birds, animals and trees; Egyptian scenes; hieroglyphics; local people; and tourists. Description of visits to Aix-en-Provence, Nice, Rome and Florence with some sketches and reflections on places visited, art and artists and their influences, as well details of lunches. Letter (affixed) regarding Sickert work. Sketches of children at rear of journal.
Loose material removed from item No. 5 (File 5a) - Box 3
Includes: sketch, ticket (dated 2008) and letter (dated 1979).
Journal: No 4. Dural - Lake Eyre, 1976-1979 (File 6) - Box 4
References include: Sydney and Dural; appointment and activity as trustee of the Australian Gallery of New South Wales; chinese art and ceramics; approaches to art teaching and Goolwa summer school; judging the Archibalds; visits to Dunk Island, Cairns, Port Douglas Iron Range and Lockhart River; and meeting with Xavier Herbert. Entries including on: death of his father; his reading; trip to Lake Eyre; and his working routine and comments re drawing and oils. Some cards and letters pasted in (including letter from Prince Philip referring to Olsen's work at p.73 and 74). Photographs (71 in total) including of Olsen and Whiteley; Robert Hughes; and trips north and to Lake Eyre.
Diary: No. 3. Dunmoochin, 1970 (File 7) - Box 4
Most entries based at Dunmoochin, with trips to Melbourne and surrounding country areas. Includes references to painting (including with Fred Williams); tapestry designs; pottery; family issues; and Clifton Pugh's relationships. Trips to Sydney, Brisbane, Hobart and Melbourne for exhibition openings, gallery visits and networking (eg Asher Bilu, the Haefligers, Frank Werther and Albert Tucker). Self reflection and thoughts on religion and about Sydney and future living and working arrangements. Recipes and details of lunches and dinners.
Loose material removed from item No. 7 (File 7a) - Box 4
Includes: receipts; letters; newspaper cuttings; a sketch; and a photograph of Olsen.
Sketchbook: 7B. India - Thailand, 1981 (File 8) - Box 4
Descriptions and sketches of: birds, monkeys, people, musical instruments, statues and Indian miniatures. References to travel details and food experiences.
Loose material removed from item No. 8 (File 8a) - Box 4
Includes: handwritten notes; boarding passes; contact details; and dried leaves.
Sketchbook: 9B, 1981 -1982 (File 9) - Box 4
Entries based mainly in South Australia and Sydney, with visits to Dural (family) and to Perth and Melbourne for exhibitions, gallery viewings and discussions. Reflections on family issues and events and comments on: death of Fred Williams, possible trip to and series of works on the Pilbara; the Archibalds; and art and Tao philosophy and approaches.
Journal: Dural, 1980, 1989 (File 10) - Box 4
Mainly sketches including of: landscape, hills, trees, plants, birds, dogs, cats, fishing, kangaroos, pool and portrait of Russell Drysdale (p. 51). Some harbour descriptions and poem.
Loose material removed from item No. 10 (File 10a) - Box 4
Includes: letters (including in 1982 and 1989), handwritten notes and sketch.
Journal: No.7. India- Thailand (File 11) - Box 5
Descriptions, sketches and photographs from trip to Thailand and India including of: local people; street scenes; temples and statues, galleries, religious practices, food, use of colour, bird and animal life and Noela (p.8). Reflections on being away from Australia, religious customs and philosophy, eastern thought and writing, cultural issues and differences, art and architecture and, on return to Melbourne, the contrasts experienced. Maps and tourist information.
Loose material removed from item No. 11 (File 11a) - Box 5
Includes: election material, two photographs of an Olsen painting, handwritten notes and stationery.
Journal No. 8. Newcastle - Clarendon, Dec 1981-1982 (File 12) - Box 5
Sketches including of: animals, birds, people (including Noela sleeping, p.42), children, food dishes, billabong and harbour. Reflections on modernist painting and zen approaches to seeing. Thoughts on Russell Drysdale's death (his work and importance) as well as newspaper obituaries (pp.89 to 94). Photographs, including one of Olsen, his father and sister circa 1941 (p.66).
Journal: No. 9. Clarendon - W Australia, 1981 (File 13) - Box 5
Descriptions of move, with Noela Hjorth, to Clarendon in South Australia; of the house and garden, surrounding environment, renovations, establishment of his studio and feelings of being isolated. References to works being undertaken, including: experimentation with ink gouache; large oils; ceramics (at Robert Mair's studio); drawing and paintings from Pilbara and Kimberley trip. Exhibition openings and book launches. Comments on: Sidney Nolan; Patrick White's autobiography; art dealers and galleries ; deaths of Fred Williams and Rudy Komon; meetings with artists (eg Cassab and Juniper); lunches and dinners; his health; and modern art. Sketches of (watercolour, pencil,ink,oil and pastels), birds, animals, plants, people and landscape. Photographs, including of: Clarendon and tapestry works.
Loose material removed from Journal No. 13 (File) - Box 5
Includes: etter from Lyn Williams; newspaper cuttings; notes on printmaking; and handwritten notes.
Print Book: 'Etching & Lithograph record of Editions', undated (entries cover 1979 to 1981) (File 14) - Box 5
Details of particular print runs; printer, materials, numbers and galleries. Sketches (pen) of land and waterscapes and birdlife. About a third of book with entries.
Loose material removed from item No. 14 (File 14a) - Box 5
Includes: photocopies of entry pages and further notes on some print runs.
Journal: No. 2. Kimberley 'Land Beyond Time', 1982 (File 15) - Box 6
The Journal covers a trip made in Sep 1982 to the Kimberley with Mary Durack; Vince Serventy, Geoffrey Dutton, accompanied by Carol Serventy, Nin Dutton and Alex Bortignon. Locations referred to include: Broome, Derby, King Leopold Ranges, Windjana Gorge, Prince Regent River , Drysdale National Park and River, Kalumburu, Wyndham, Lake Argyle and the Ord River, Kununurra, Balgo, Hall's Creek, Fossil Downs, Fitzroy Crossing, Geike Gorge and Hooker's Creek. Reflections on: his notational approach; the landscape and its vastness, mood and tonality; discussions at mission stations; meetings with indigenous people and their issues; and rock art. A large number of sketches (watercolour, pencil, ink and pastels), including of: town views and buildings; the Derby leperosarium; indigenous people(including Kalumburu elders); his fellow travellers; mission members; trees, plants and grasses; landscapes and rocky outcrops; rivers and lakes; tidal patterns and mangroves; birds; fish; crocodiles; termite mounds; and animals. There are also polaroids, including of: fellow travellers and their camps; landscapes and ranges; termite mounds; trees; tidal markings; rivers and lakes; and a crater. Note: this journal is linked to Journals 16 (No. 3) and 21 (No. 1) which together form a record of related trips to northwest Australia, the outcome of which included an exhibition of works by Olsen and the publications: 'Land Beyond Time: a Modern Exploration of Australia's North Western Frontiers', and 'Land beyond time/ paintings and drawings by John Olsen'.
Loose material removed from item No. 15 (File) - Box 6
Includes: newspaper cuttings; dried leaves; three photographs; small sketches; and segment of leaf.
Journal: No. 3. 'Land Beyond Time', Kangaroo Island, 1982-1983 (File 16) - Box 6
Covers visit to Kangaroo island (with Geoffrey Dutton and family) with photographs and sketches including of seascapes, birds, fish, crabs, seals and people. Time at Clarendon, including: bushfires; working on art; and comments on the death of journalist Geraldine Pascall and in relation to art critic Paul Haefliger. Trip to the Kimberley (including Bungle Bungles and Broome); descriptions, photographs and sketches (watercolour, ink and pencil) including of landscapes, rock formations, trees and plants, termite mounds, people, birds and animals, and reflections on the area and its people. Sketch of Bernard Smith (p145). Note: this journal is linked to Journals 15 (No. 2) and 21 (No. 1) which together form a record of related trips to northwest Australia, the outcome of which included an exhibition of works by Olsen and the publications: 'Land Beyond Time: a Modern Exploration of Australia's North Western Frontiers', and 'Land beyond time/ paintings and drawings by John Olsen'.
Loose material removed from item No.16 (File 16a) - Box 6
Includes: photographs of the Kimberley trip and life at Clarendon.
Notebook, 1986-1987 (File 17) - Box 6
Sketches including of: landscape, Kangaroo island scenes, trees, rivers, frogs, animals, people, desert views, Lake Eyre, Jeffery Smart (p. 33) and Boyhood at Bondi (p. 55). Literary quotes and reflections, including in relation to the purpose and meaning of art. Comments on John Coburn. Notes on Spanish phrases. Recipes and related sketches. References to Noela (Hjorth) and their breakup.
Loose material removed from item No. 17 (File 17a) - Box 6
Includes: photocopy of notebook entry and sketch/handwritten note.
Untitled sketchbook, c. 1982-1988 (File 18) - Box 7
Sketches (ink and pencil) including: people, hands, landscapes, dogs, camels and an orchestra. Quotes on religion and philosophy. Notes on colours and ochres. Personal memos and contacts.
Loose material removed from item No. 18, 1988 (File 18a) - Box 7
Includes: newspaper cutting (Aida advertisement); five yellow post it notes; contact details; one photograph (of dog); invitation to book launch; and correspondence (to K Howard).
Journal: No 10. Bali - Java Cellebes, 1983 (File 19) - Box 7
Descriptions of trip to Indonesia. Sketches (ink, pencil and watercolour) including of: sculptures; people ; landscapes; rice paddy scenes; gamelin orchestra; village and street scenes; caged birds, cocks and egrets; buffalos; house building; monkey; children; and Richard Hall. Photographs including of temples, dancers and vulcano. Visit to Ian Van Wieringen and to Donald Friend's house. Reflections on Buddhist teachings, computer art, public views of art and the impact of landscape on behaviour and thought.
Journal: No. 13A. Lakefield and Clarendon., 1984 (File 20) - Box 7
Descriptions, sketches and photographs of trip to Far North Queensland (with documentary film making team). Sketches (some with colour wash) including of: people including stockmen, ringers and their horses; rangers and Ken Taylor (film maker); landscape; lily ponds and dam; water tanks; outback buildings; birds and animals; and termite mounds. Reflections on the environment; the outback way of life; aboriginal life; arriving at the abstraction of nature; light and the bush; characters encountered; and the rain forest. Return to Clarendon via Melbourne. Reflections on: teaching and the impact on an artist's work; his health; sculpture in Australia; and the deaths of Hal Porter and John Passmore.
Loose material removed from item No. 20 (File 20a) - Box 7
Includes: two sketches (and photocopy of them).
Journal: No. 1. 'Land beyond Time', 1982 (File 21) - Folio-Box 8
Focused on trip to North Western Australia as part of group including Vince Serventy, Geoffery Dutton, Dame Mary Durack and Alex Bortignon. Descriptions and sketches (ink, pencil, and watercolour)of the trip including of: landscape, people, buildings, coastal scenes, birds, animals, rocky outcrops and ranges, fossils, desert, vegetation, sand drifts and machinery. Sketches of scenes at indigenous outstations, camps and missions and of tribal elders. Reflections on indigenous culture and issues. Comments on the landscape and its portrayal in art. Photographs including of: trip members (including of Olsen); people encountered; land and beachscapes; rocks; termite mounds; trees and plants; gravestones and buildings. Note: this journal is linked to Journals No. 15 and No. 16, which together form a record of related trips to northwest Australia, the outcome of which included an exhibition of works by Olsen and the publications: 'Land Beyond Time: a Modern Exploration of Australia's North Western Frontiers', and 'Land beyond time/ paintings and drawings by John Olsen'.
Loose material removed from item No. 21 (File 21a) - Folio-Box 8
Includes: handwritten notes; travel material; sketches; photograph; and organic items (dried grass from between pp. 62 and 63 of Journal (21); and seed pod and dried flower and stem from between pp. 170 and 171 of Journal (21).
Loose material removed from item No. 22 (File 22a) - Folio-Box 8
Includes: correspondence (including advice of his being awarded the 1985 Wynne Prize and in relation to The Land Beyond Time exhibition); poems sent by Geoffery Dutton; photographs of his work and himself; and a newspaper cutting.
Journal: No. 1. Living Clarendon Sth Australia, 1984 - 1985 (File 23) - Folio-Box 9
Early entries (after series of sketches) based in Europe (Paris, Spain and Rome) with descriptions of, and reflections on: galleries, art, meetings, meals and surroundings. Return to Australia: Sydney and Clarendon. Includes sketches throughout of: land and sea scapes; potter's studio; Aida themes; people; cats; dogs; and birds. Reflections on Passmore retrospective and works; Fred Williams; Albert Tucker; Robert Juniper; Arthur Boyd; and Donald Friend (including a sketch). References to Land Beyond Time exhibitions. Comments on works in progress (eg Clarendon Spring and Autumn). Brief trip to Bali and ill health. Reflections on artist/dealer relationships. Descriptions of meals and recipes. Photographs mainly of people (including Olsen) and art works.
Loose material removed from item No. 23 (File 23a) - Folio-Box 9
Includes: newspaper and magazine cuttings; photographs; correspondence; copies of journal entries; handwritten notes (by Olsen and Noela Hjorth); receipts; Olsen cover design for Snow on the Saltbush (Dutton); exhibition material; and two sketches.
Journal: 'America & England', 1987 (with some material dated 1983 included) (File 24) - Folio-Box 9
Covers trip by Olsen with Noela to America and England. The America trip includes San Francisco, Napa valley, Yosemite, Nevada and the Sierras, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Kanab and Zion National Park. Reflections on the art and cultural scene in San Francisco; American values, eating habits and colloquialisms; comparions between the Grand Canyon and the Bungle Bungles; scenes and experiences driving Route 66; and Las Vegas gambling scenes. Sketches (watercolour, pencil and ink) including of: travelling; wineries; landscapes; canyon country; Navaho people; idea for Dinner Music piece; and painter Richard Diebenkorn. Visit to London including visits to galleries and meetings with owners, going to the Smithfield area, meeting with Bryan Robertson, Roland Penrose and Rosemarie Slagle. Reflections on the 'depressing experience' of art in many galleries; the death of Kenneth Clarke; and artistic practice. Sketches including of: Noela, woman in Smithfield; and two watercolours of flowers/still life. Blank after p. 85.
Loose material removed from item No. 24 (File 24a) - Folio-Box 9
Includes: photocopy of pages from Journal; Yosemite material; travel itinerary; and a page from diary with an ink, watercolour and pastel work (Self Portrait with Tim & sea watching) on one side and handwritten note on the other.
Journal: No.14. Nth Q. Kangaroo Isl Clarendon, 1986-1987 (File 25) - Folio-Box 9
Covers time in Townsville (for Land Beyond Time exhibition), Sydney and Melbourne (exhibitions and catching up with artists and friends), Clarendon, Kangaroo Island (with the Duttons) and Hayman Island (re commissioned works). Reflections on divorce and life with Valerie and on marriage to Noela Hjorth. Comments on ideas for works; painting works (eg A Road to Clarendon: Autumn); artists' views of each other; attraction to aboriginal art; comparing his work to John Perceval's, the essence of modern painting and landscape; connective links between objects; and the role of the narrative in art. Reflections on Goya's dog picture. References to printing at David Rankin's studio, a Heide exhibition of his work and a dinner for Lloyd Rees. Sketches (watercolour, pencil and ink) including of: land and sea scapes, boats, animals, birds, people (including of Bruce Arthur, Beckett and himself), baskets, tea pots, "Goya's dog" ideas, clamming and crabbing at Kangaroo Island, kitchen scenes, rivers and ponds. Pages blank from p.175 onwards.
Loose material removed from item No. 25 (File 25a) - Folio-Box 9
Includes: photocopies of journal entries with handwritten notes or items such as feathers; Townsville Gallery Exhibition Schedule; correspondence from galleries and individuals, eg Vince Serventy and Alan Marshall; invitations and exhibition material.
Journal: Clarendon, 1986 (File 26) - Folio-Box 9
Covers time in Darwin (for exhibition); Mt Macedon; Brisbane; Clarendon; and Sydney. Visit to Kakadu and rock art sites; thoughts on figures and also, more broadly, on indigenous art and the impact of tourism. Reflections on the Heidelberg School; Australia's isolation; fires in Mt Macedon; Warwick Fairfax; Tony Tuckson; and Donald Friend. Depictions of failing relationship with Noela Hjorth and moving back to Sydney. Descriptions of artwork ideas and working in his studio (eg'High Life and Low Life' and 'El Dolor, The Pain'). Views on Sidney Nolan. Philosophical reflections on art and life, including lessons of quietness and contemplation from Bali. Reestablishing himself in Sydney, with personal and artistic reappraising. Contact with Deborah Hart and working on his drawing book. Working on the Darling Harbour mural. Photographs of his works as they developed. Sketches (pencil and ink) including of: rock art figures; indigenous camps; animals; frogs; birds; and people.
Loose material removed from item No. 26 (File 26a) - Folio-Box 9
Includes photocopies of pages from journal (some with hand written annotation or sketches); newspaper cuttings; photograph; and poetry.
Journal: No. 16, 1988-1989 (File 27) - Box 10
Few entries, December 1988 and May 1989. Descriptions of driving out of the city (Sydney) with partner (Katherine Howard). Ideas for works and working practice. References to new studio at Wentworth Falls. Sketches (ink) of a fish and people.
Notebook: Espana, 1987-1988 (File 28) - Box 10
Trip to Spain, France and Asia. Many sketches (ink, pencil and watercolour) including of: land and town scapes, beggars, mother and child, people and faces; dogs; river boats; asian temples,figures and monks; and birds. Descriptions from trip (including Monet's garden at Givenchy, Avignon, Versailles, Paris and meals). Exhibitions visited (including comparison of Degas and Picasso works). Reflections on: symbols; aging; and the 'little known of Sydney aborigines'.
Journal: Wentworth Falls Rydal, 1991-1994 (File 29) - Box 11
Life and work at Wentworth Falls and then Chapel Hill Rydal, with trips to Sydney, Northern NSW, Adelaide and Canberra. Overseas trip: Paris, Venice, London, Devon and St Ives and also Japan (for lecturing tour). Thoughts on works in progress, eg. pictures, etchings, watercolours, mixed media, still lifes, murals and ceramics. Exhibitions and shows. Health, well being and relationship issues. Views on art dealers and critics. Reflections on the deaths of Peter Fuller, Patrick White, Sidney Nolan and Clifton Pugh and also on the work of Donald Friend, Jackson Pollack and Tim Storrier. Thoughts on art trends, approaches and colour usage and about the Archibald and Sulman prizes. Experience as Councillor, National Gallery of Australia and response to being awarded a creative arts fellowship. Sketches (ink, pastel and watercolour) including: mountains, landscapes, people (eg Giacometti, De Koonig, Patrick White, Arthur Boyd, Kenneth Slessor, Stephen Hawking and Katherine Howard), gypsy caravan, monkeys and other animals,fish, octopus, buildings and food. Descriptions of dinners and recipes.
Loose material removed from item No. 29 (File 29a) - Box 11
Includes: sketches (frogs, people, caricatures); handwritten notes (including thoughts on Clifton Pugh); postcard and photographs; menu with sketch; views on art critics; and letter (dated 9/3/95) re death of his mother.
Journal: Africa, 1989 (File 30) - Box 11
Records trip with wife Katherine to Africa, including visits to Victoria Falls; the Zambezi; Nairobi, Amboseh National Park and base of Mt Kilimanjaro. Sketches of animals (including elephants, giraffes, monkeys and cheetahs), birds, tribesmen and women, land and water scapes; descriptions of scenes, animal and bird life and his personal and artistic responses. Reflections on feelings of vitality there. Reflections on reading (Arnold's poetry and Yeats' memoires). Blank after p. 69.
Loose material removed from item No. 30 (File 30a) - Box 11
Includes: tourist information; sketches; photographs (polaroids); and handwritten notes.
Sketchbook: 1B, 1994 (File 31) - Box 11
Sketches (pencil, ink and watercolour) mainly of time in Tasmania, Hobart, including figures and faces, land and sea scapes, harbour and wharf views, fishing boats, ferry, market at Salamanca Place and dog. Brief descriptions of sights and activities.
Sketchbook (untitled), ca. 1991 (File 32) - Box 11
Small sketch book. Contains range of words, phrases, quotes and extracts from poems. Sketches (pencil, ink and pastel) including of birds, landscapes, people (including Stanley Spencer and Nolan/White) and the gypsy caravan. Brief reflections on modernism, requisites for a work of art and trends in art and aging.
Loose material removed from item No. 32 (File 32a) - Box 11
Includes: photocopy of pages from sketch book and handwritten note (sketch on back).
Sketchbook: Venice, May-June 1992 (File 33) - Box 12
Covers visit to Venice and also time spent in the UK (St Ives and Devon). Sketches including: Venice scenes - buildings, gondolas, people (including The Doge, a self portrait and Lady Mary Fairfax), canals and lagoon, bridges, statues and restaurant scene; and St Ives (land and sea scapes, boats, fisherman, cottage, birds, Dartmouth and St Ives). Brief comments on places and works of art seen in Venice. Description of time with Patrick Heron at St Ives and local scenery. Reflections on death of artist Richard Eulich.
Loose material removed from item No. 33 (File 33a) - Box 12
Includes: handwritten message (plus copy); receipt; and loose page from sketchbook.
Diary (untitled), 1995 (File 34) - Box 12
Daily diary of meetings, contacts, financial matters and activities. Based in Rydal with trips to Bowral, Sydney, Broome and Brisbane. Stroke and death of mother. Comments on problems with working, feelings of depression and pain. References to numbers of works in progress: eg. unsuccesful attempts at oils; watercolours, drawings, gouaches (eg Warburton Grooves and Lake Eyre), commission for Governor Phillip Tower. Sketches including of: Brisbane River, snail, plane, face and frog. Lunches and dinners with contacts, dealers, friends, other artists and family members. Exhibition openings. Reflections on personal relationships.
Loose material removed from item No. 34 (File 34a) - Box 12
Includes: photocopies of diary entries, handwritten notes; messages; two photographs (one of a painting the other of a small child); newspaper and magazine cuttings; contact details; a small sketch of a bird; correspondence; receipts; and an exhibition brochure (for a Danish John Olsen).
Sketchbook (File 35) - Box 12
Few entries. Reference to the innocent primitiveness of the Kimberley. Sketches including of landscape, birds and people.
Memo book: Rydal NSW Glenquarry, Undated (File 36) - Box 12
Based at Rydal with trips to Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Broome. Includes range of quotes and thoughts on literary, societal, philosophical and art history themes. Comparisons of Picasso and Braque; comments on Arthur Boyd. Thoughts on political correctness and modernism. Visits to Tapestry Workshop (Melbourne). Relections on land rights and indigenous issues and conditions. Sketches (ink, some with wash) including of Glebe Island bridge, port and harbour scenes, skate boarder, aboriginal people, lily pond, birds and Santa Maria Novella (Florence). Dinners and lunches.
Notebook (untitled), Undated (possibly 1995) (File 37) - Box 12
Ink and pencil sketches including of people, Cable Beach Broome, seashore scenes, Thai restaurant, landscape, birds and animals. Words and definitions. References to knee pain and operation.
Loose material removed from item No. 37 (File 37a) - Box 12
Includes: a sketch and photocopy of diary page.
Sketchbook, 1994-1997 (File 38) - Box 13
Covers time in Rydal with visits to Broome, Melbourne and Sydney. Sketches (ink, pencil and crayon) including of: Cable Beach, figures, faces, fish, animals, a room, the painter; and a lunch with Hughes and Storrier. Reflections on Giocometti and Matisse; contemporary art; Miller, Passmore and Fairweather and their art as a religion approach; Picasso's african period; and Degas. Depictions of time in Broome and response to the Kimberley. Photographs of tapestries in the process of being woven. Issues around sale of Chapel House and possible move to Southern Highlands. Reflections on year past (1994), his mother's death and future intentions for self discipline and focus for his works. Letter re Order of Australia award.
Loose material removed from item No. 38, 1994-2001 (File 38a) - Box 13
Includes: photocopies of entries; photographs (three); handwritten notes; correspondence; newspaper cuttings; gallery and exhibition material; sketches (of a figure and face). Notes by Olsen on: returning to Clarenden in 1998; reflections on Stanislaus Rapotec on his death in 1997; and on 'the ABC of life'.
Diary (untitled), 1997 (File 39) - Box 13
Appointments and contact details. Visits to Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra. Meetings and dinners with family, friends and art people. Experience having a minor stroke and afterwards. Reflections on Archibald and Wynne prizes; dealers, curators and gallery owners; operations of the AGNSW trust; perceptions of aboriginal art; his feelings for Sydney Harbour; religious belief and art; and primitivism, pop art, performance art and abstraction. References to work being done (including with Reg Livermore's assistance).
Loose material removed from item No. 39, 1997 (File 39a) - Box 13
Includes: photocopies of pages from diaries; messages and handwritten notes (some with ink sketches); photographs (7); two letters; poetry; menu; gallery card; newspaper cuttings; and receipt.
Diary (untitled), 1996 (File 40) - Box 14
Appointments and contact details. At Rydal, with visits to Sydney, Melbourne and Noosa and trips to Broome, Central Australia (including Lake Eyre) and Bali. Lunches and dinners with family, friends (eg Reg Livermore), members of artistic community (eg Tim Storrier) and others (eg Phillip Cox). References to his reading, literary and philosophical quotes, definitions and role of art. Details of works in progress including drawings, gouaches, water colours and landscapes and possible commissions. Sketches including of snail, insect, Klippel and figures. Reflections on health and emotions on prospect of moving from Rydal.
Loose material removed from item No. 40, 1996 (File 40a) - Box 14
Includes: photocopies of diary entries; handwritten notes; contact details; correspondence; newspaper cutting; and photograph.
Notebook, 2000-2001 (File 41) - Box 14
Covers time in Broome and return to Glenquarry after major renovations. Opens Icon exhibition at AGNSW, has own exhibition of drawings and watercolours and judging art prize with John McDonald. Lunches and dinners. Literary quotes, poetry and thoughts on Roman history, eastern philosophy and on Robert Klippel. Works in progress and reflections on feelings of inertia. Ink sketches of Sydney Harbour, dinner table and quail eggs. Entries for around a quarter of notebook.
Loose material removed from item No. 41, 2000-2001 (File 41a) - Box 14
Includes: photocopies of notebook entries; handwritten notes; four photographs; reflections on Robert Hughes; and contact details.
Sketchbook (untitled), undated (File 42) - Box 14
Series of ink, pencil and crayon sketches, including of: Hill End scenes; frogs; fish, dogs; cats; birds; and people (including Piers Akerman and 'Barry at the Flinders Ranges'). Strathalbyn. Entries for 29 pages and part of last page, rest blank.
Loose material removed from item No. 42 (File 42a) - Box 14
Includes: photocopies of notebook, handwritten notes and newspaper cutting (dated February 2006).
Notebook (untitled), 2000 (File 43) - Box 14
Includes references to trips to Broome and (with Tim Olsen and Tim Storrier) to Lake Eyre. Descriptions of time in hospital for knee operation and rehabilitation period. Reflections on: the purchase of Sydney Sun by the National Gallery; works in progress; annual artists' meeting; Roman history; copyright concerns; importance of art history and culture; and Lucian Freud paintings. Descriptions of meals and recipes. Sketches (ink and pencil) including of Malcolm Fraser, landscapes, Roebuck Bay, frogs and a pair of glasses.
Loose material removed from item No. 43, 2000-2001 (File 43a) - Box 14
Includes: handwritten notes (two with ink sketches), newspaper cutting and correspondence.
Notebook, 2002-2003 (File 44) - Box 14
Includes references to trips to Broome, Melbourne and Sydney. Reflections on different artists' personalities (Whiteley, Nolan and Brack) as well as on Storrier and Tillers. Exhibitions (including a Coburn retrospective and Picasso). Descriptions of meals and recipes. Sketches (ink and watercolour) including: self caricature, hospital patient, walking stick, James Joyce, Garry Shead and cat. Thoughts on Lake Eyre. Comments on works in progress (eg Lake Eyre picture, small watercolour notes and collaboration with ceramist Ros Aude). Impact of knee pain and operation. Reading and poetry.
Loose material removed from item No. 44, 2002 - 2006 (File 44a) - Box 14
Includes: photocopies of journal entries; handwritten notes; exhibition material; correspondence; two post-it-notes; reminders and contact details.
Desk diary, 1999 (File 45) - Box 15
Reflections on the past year (living arrangements, health and work) as well as on: approaches to landscape, Arthur Boyd (Artist's Medal presentation), death of John Brack; government art policy and reading and poetry. Descriptions of work in progress including: paintings (eg Road to Hill End), drawings, coastal landscapes, watercolours and etchings. Descriptions of packing up at Rydal, move to the Southern Highlands (Owls Head) and new house, studio and surroundings. Details of meals and recipes. Trips to Sydney, Bathurst and Adelaide. Involvement in: cookery book; ABC program (with Betty Churcher); sessions with Garry Shead for Archibald Prize entry; and ceramics (with Ros Aude). Sketches (watercolour and pencil) including Chinese restaurant, birds, cat, frog, squid and crab. Connections with range of artists and collectors including Storrier, Coburn, Shead and the Lavertys. Issues and action in relation to possible forgeries. A small number of photographs. Second half of diary mostly blank.
Loose material removed from item No. 45 (File 45a-b) - Box 15
Includes: correspondence (including personal, business and in relation to alleged forgeries); newspaper and magazine cuttings; exhibition invitations and material; and handwritten notes. Also includes sketches including: Woollahra (calico cat on reverse side); our cat Mr Duncan; Mr Duncan; a meal on Chapel House Farm paper; and Lowenstein looking for statements of accounts, as well as one watercolour. Photographs (6) including of paintings, a sketch (Lloyd Rees) and Olsen with others, including one with Arthur Boyd (referred to in diary entry for 16 May).
Diary: Glenquarry, 2002 (File 46) - Box 15
New Year's Eve descriptions and reflections. Reading, literary and philosophy quotes. Meals and recipes. Thoughts on NGA display and acquisition approaches and its birthday function (featuring Sydney Sun). Descriptions of work in progress including: Lake Eyre paintings, a large mixed media work, still lifes and Monet's Kitchen and on relationship with new dealers. Reflections on Lloyd Rees, Donald Friend, an AGNSW Margaret Olley dinner and Coburn and Juniper's health. Sketches, including caricatures, self portrait and Lake Eyre. Thoughts on colour use and reconciliation; health and ongoing knee issues; a Les Murray poetry reading; Lake Eyre memories and interview for TV programme. Trips to Melbourne and Sydney. Reactions to the Bali bombings. Reflections on the closing year, work and health. No entries June to September.
Loose material removed from item No. 46 (File 46a) - Box 15
Includes correspondence, newspaper and magazine cuttings, handwritten notes, three sketches (Dale, biscuits and a gaze as pitiless as the sun). One photograph.
Notebook: Newly arrived at Glenquarry, 2003-2007 (primarily 06/07) (File 47) - Box 16
Entries based mainly in Glenquarry, with trips to Broome, Melbourne and Sydney. Comments on work underway, including: Chapel Hill in Summer, Onkaparinga Hills; etchings (with Max Miller); painting from a Dylan Thomas poem; and Reg Livermore's assistance. Reflections on: Lake Eyre; attributes of water colour; Robert Hughes post car accident; the role of history; Passmore and Miller from Olsen's student days; views on Sidney Nolan; de Kooning; Rembrandt; visiting Coburn in hospice; and views of Brian Kennedy. Thoughts on galleries, dealers and the art market. Literary and philosophical quotes as well as reading details. Meals and recipes, social contacts. Sketches (ink) including of: wine goddess; roman arch; bowl; rain; animals; Katherine jumping; 'me the gardener'; Godfrey Miller; and figures. House and studio renovations. Exhibitions (eg NGV).
Loose material removed from item No. 47 (File 47a) - Box 16
Includes: handwritten notes and contact details; photocopies of journal entries and correspondence (dated 2003); and magazine cutting.
Visual Art Diary (untitled), undated (File 48) - Box 16
A few entries only and primarily sketches (ink and water colour) including of lake, river, fish and gourmets eating.
Journal, 2003-2004 (File 49) - Box 16
Based at Glenquarry, with trips to Sydney, Perth and Melbourne and a holiday at Culburra Beach. Reflections on: modern art and abstract impressionism; Juniper; Picasso. Descriptions of time in studio: periods of listlessness and of work on pieces eg Summer Pudding, Landscape with Moths, etchings with Max Miller and Self Portrait with Janus Face (and thoughts about its entry into the Archibald Prize); and assistance from Ken MacGregor. Exhibitions and involvement in judging of Dobell Drawing Prize. Sketches including of: birds, animals, fish; land and beach scapes; mortar and pestle; and of people (including Tim Storrier, Cecil Beaton, Robert Juniper); artists and dealers (caricature); Reg Livermore in the Producers; a roller blader; art dealers Barry Stern and Brian Kino; Neruda; and at a Sydney Art opening. Reading, poetry and literary and philosophical quotes. Photographs of people and works. Cooking, meals, recipes and comments on TV cooking programmes. Diabetes diagnosis.
Loose material removed from item No. 49 (File 49a) - Box 16
Includes: photocopies of journal entries; photographs (10); one small sketch; handwritten notes (some also including drawings); invitations and event cards.
Daybook (untitled), 2009-2011 (File 50) - Box 16
Based at Glenquarry with trips to Sydney and Melbourne. Visits to Hidden Lake. Work on Lake Eyre paintings, an ABC programme on his lake works and reflections on Paul Lockyer's helicopter crash death there. Descriptions of time in studio and presence or absence of muse; and feeling of being imprisoned by demand for frog works. Sketches (ink) including of: dishwasher, cat, prawn, faces and people, Hidden Lake, frogs, caricatures and calamari. Reflections on Robert Hughes' condition post car accident; Larkin's work; Manet and Vuillard. Meals, cooking and recipes. Reading and literary quotes. Operation and recovery. Discussions with biographer Darleen Bungey and with MacMillans re publications. Receival of Honorary Doctorate University of Newcastle.
Daybook (untitled), 2007 (File 51) - Box 16
Sketches including of: rabbit; blow flies; cats; Lake Eyre; cod fisherman; rain; Owls Wood Farm; Angry Penguins; Nolan with Elwyn Lynn; seascape; Doyles; food; sardines; people and faces. Reflections on aging; of past contemporaries and the death of Vince Serventy; his time in Deia and at Hill End; the skill and impact of Chaim Soutine; and artists' life and outlook. Trip to Broome. Work with Betty Churcher on film on Opera House mural. Visit to NGA for Lambert retrospective and response to Gallipoli paintings. Meals and recipes. Philosophical and literary quotes.
Loose material removed from item No. 51, 2007 (File 51a) - Box 16
Includes: photocopies of diary pages; invitation card; contact details; and message (on post-it-note).
Small sketchbook, 2011-2012 (File 52) - Box 16
Reflections on Valerie Olsen's death and funeral. References to work in progress: eg Lake Eyre, a large watercolour, and The Laughing Frog (sugar lift etching). Sketches including: swans, birds, dogs, cats, dogs barking around a paella,Lake Eyre, pig, frogs, Hidden Lake, Charles Blackman and Les Murray. Thoughts on leaving Owls Wood. Reflections on Nolan's views on light and the Australian landscape; Hockney's artwork; and what he saw as unfair critiques of Ben Quilty's work. Cooking, meals and recipes. Literary quotes and thoughts on decline in university literary studies.
Loose material removed from item No. 52 (File 52a) - Box 16
Includes: photocopies of entries; contact details; and post it notes.
Journal (File 53) - Box 17
Description of flight to Broome, views of landscape and thoughts on aboriginal art. Trips to Melbourne to present Painters and Sculptures medal to James Gleeson and for a NGV dinner; and to Sydney for dinners, opera and exhibitions. Working on ceramics with Lino Alvarez in Hill End. Visit to Canberra for launch of last volume of Donald Friend's diary. Trip to Cape York and the Torres Strait, response to landscape and people. Working with lithographer Fred Genis and on a new series Childhood by the Sea. Reflections on: being at Deia and Barcelona market; Coburn, Klippel, De Koonig, Leonard French, John McDonald, Margaret Preston, Gary Shead, water colours, abstraction and aging and memory. Friendship with Reg Livermore. Photographs including of Olsen, his wife Katherine, Shead, Storrier, Juniper and Olsen with Gough Whitlam. Sketches including of: calamari, fish, Godfrey Miller, James Gleeson, wine tasting, Janus faced, self portrait, art opening, Jeffrey Smart, frog, cats, birds, Leonard French, Brett Whiteley and poet Constantine Cavafy. Award of Order of Australia.
Loose material removed from item No. 53 (File 53a) - Box 17
Includes: correspondence (personal and professional); exhibition material; notes (some with sketches); newspaper and magazine cuttings; and invoice for art supplies. Sketches, including of Klippel and harbour scene. Photographs (six in all), including of Olsen, at Alvarez studio at Hill End and of Olsen's father in Damascus in 1941 (originally from p. 92 in Item 53). Photocopies of diary entries including with associated loose material and/or notes.
Diary, 2003 (File 54) - Box 17
Christmas and New Year celebrations. Reflections on literary representations of aging. Descriptions of time (unproductive and productive) in studio, including on works - Still Life in Mallorca; ceiling works, the Source and Frog paintings; a small version of Lily Pond; Flooded Lake; and Spring in the You Beaut Country 2. Sketches including of himself, food and dog. Reflections on range of artists including Renoir and Degas (their exploratory studies); Rembrandt, Constable and Sickert (their tones) and John Brack. Thoughts on Brian Kino from Metro 5 Gallery. Poetry and literary references. Visit to Hill End. Photographs including of Olsen works, him painting, family friends and Hill End. Exhibitions in Melbourne and Sydney and related organisation and material. Lunches, dinners and recipes.
Loose material removed from item No. 54 (File 54a) - Box 17
Includes: correspondence; newspaper clippings; exhibition invitations and material; sketches; handwritten notes and photocopies of diary pages. Two photographs (one at Hill End and one of Olsen with then Prime Minister Howard at presentation of Artists medal). Palm Landscape print.
Journal: 'Owls Wood', 2006-2007 (File 55) - Box 18
Based at Owls Wood with trips to Sydney, Melbourne and Cape York/Torres Strait. Knee operation and recovery. Writing notes for book entitled John Olsen at 80. Descriptions of works in progress including: Cape York Loopy Rivers, Dry Season Cape York and large mural King Tide. Reflections on Manet, De Koonig, Clement Meadmore,Donald Friend, Fred Williams, Patrick White, the Durrells in Corfu and Lloyd Rees. Sketches including of: a fly; scrub turkey; Thursday Island scenes and people; frog; cats and dogs; food ; flying kites; childhood by the sea; Doc Martin/Martin Clunes; plants; Wayne Swan; Oscar Mentink; and Max Harris. Presented with Life Membership and medal at NGV dinner. Thoughts on Thursday Island people and surroundings and of flying up the western side of Cape York and the inspiration to paint as a response. Views on expressionism, tone in paintings and discovery in the evolution of works. Also on price achieved for Love in the Kitchen. Meals and recipe references.
Loose material removed from item No. 55 (File 55a) - Box 18
Includes: copies of journal pages with post it note sketch of frogs, notes and photograph of painting.
Journal: At "Owl's Wood" Glenquarry, 2008 (File 56) - Box 18
Sketches including of: self; faces; octopus, frogs, Lady Mary Fairfax, dogs, beetles, the poet Cavafy, fish, Bondi nipper, three blind mice, Toad of Toad Hall, sparrow, cats, Janus, Jolly Koh, Katherine, food dishes and Ray Crooke. Illnesss and deaths of daughter Jane, ex-wife Valerie and friend James Gleeson. His health and recovery from knee operation. Celebration of his 80th birthday. Reflections on Fairweather, Baldessin, Pugh, Paloma Picasso, Storrier, Rees, Larwell, Havekes and aboriginal art. References on works in progress, including: a commissioned work with Chinese New Year theme, a mural for the Olsen Hotel foyer, mixed media works, Lake Eyre themed oils, Culinaria series, drawings of monkeys and frogs. Contact with friends and colleagues, including Barry and Lizzie Humphries, Betty Churcher, dinner for Edmund Capon; Gary Shead; David Helfgott; and dinner on Olsen being awarded Life Governor of AGNSW. Photographs including of artwork, events, himself, family, and friends. Trips to Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, on a mediterranean cruise and to Delmore Downs in Central Australia. Exhibitions, reading and poetry.
Loose material removed from item No. 56, 2008 - 2010 (File 56a) - Box 18
Includes: correspondence, newspaper cuttings, sketches, photographs (13) and notes. (Material labelled with relevant journal page numbers where identifiable.)
Journal (untitled), 2007 (File 57) - Box 19
Descriptions of trips: to Dubai, Rome and Mediterranean cruise (Sicily, Athens and Greek Islands, Turkey and through the Dardenelles); and to Broome. Sketches and photographs from trips. Other sketches including: Italians growing tomatoes/zucchinis, artist and cat. Reflections on poetry (including work of Delmore Schwartz); John Perceval; Betty Churcher; and Charles Blackman.
Class 3. Consignment received March 2016, 2011 - 2015
0.03 metres,This consignment comprises a journal that documents John Olsen's life as a visual artist covering the the period of 26th September 2011 to 13th July 2015 and includes original illustrations in ink, pencil, watercolour and crayon along with observations, correspondence, photographs, newsclippings, recipes.
Class 4. Consignment received June 2016, 1957; 1983-1984
0.06 metres,This consignment coprises two journals that document John Olsen's life as a visual artist covering his travels to Spain, Ibiza, Mallorca, England, France in 1957 and time spent in Nth Queensland, Clarendon, China and Vietnam covering the period from 1983 to 1984. They include original illustrations in ink, pencil, watercolour and crayon along with observations, correspondence, photographs and news clippings.