12 January – 24 February 2002
An exhibition of works selected by two luminaries of Australian art, Margaret Olley and Jeffrey Smart in January 2002. Australia’s artistic icons, Margaret Olley and Jeffrey Smart have been invited to select their favourite works from public and private collections throughout Australia.
Margaret Olley and Jeffrey Smart are great personalities and possess an extensive knowledge of art – both historical and contemporary. Their friendship dates back over many years and they have great respect for each other as artists. Olley is well-known as a still life painter and also as a generous benefactor to Australian galleries and Smart, who has lived in Italy since 1971,is renowned for his dramatic paintings of mysterious landscapes.
Expect to see magnificent works from European masters such as Degas, Bonnard, Vuillard and Freud as well as iconic Australian paintings by Arthur Streeton, Brett Whiteley, Keith Looby, Lawrence Daws, Bill Robinson, Russell Drysdale and including Dobell’s portrait of Margaret Olley. The exhibition promises to be an exquisite showcase of works that have inspired and enthralled these two artists.
PUBLIC PROGRAMS
Sunday 13 January – John McDonald Art writer and author of a book on Smart’s 1970s and 1980s works in 1990 will discuss Jeffrey Smart.
Sunday 20 January – Diana Heath, fellow studio team member of ‘The Argonaut Club’ and longstanding friend of Jeffrey Smart will talk about Jeffrey from the early 50s to the present.
Sunday 27 January – Artist Keith Looby will discuss his work selected by Jeffrey Smart for the exhibition, ‘Mothers and fathers’ & Art Gallery owner Stuart Purves will present anecdotes about Jeffrey Smart.
Sunday 3 February – Artist Lawrence Daws will present a slide lecture on his work, one of which is included in this exhibition.
Sunday 10 February – Friend and archivist of Jeffrey Smart, Stephen Rogers will talk about his Smart archive. Victorian artist Criss Canning, selected by Margaret Olley, will talk about her work.
Sunday 17 February – Artists Nicholas Harding and Cressida Campbell will discuss their works selected by Margaret Olley within the context of the Favourites exhibition.
Sunday 24 February – Margaret Olley and Jeffrey Smart talk about their “favourites” with Edmund Capon
