The late Australian artist John Olsen's vibrant paintings of life and energy within the natural world illuminates the Sydney Opera House’s sails in 2023...

Lighting of the Sails: Life Enlivened (2023) by John Olsen and Curiious | Vivid LIVE

Location:

Bennelong Point
2000 NSW
Australia

Sydney Opera House during Vivid Sydney
Sydney Opera House during Vivid Sydney

Artist Details

Dr John Olsen

Dr John Olsen

Dr John Olsen (1928-2023) was one of Australia’s most celebrated artists. Central to his painting of the Australian landscape was his propulsive painted line that takes its cue from Paul Klee’s idea of 'taking line for a walk', as well as the notion that making art is akin to forming, 'like a plant or a living organism'. Olsen received an Order of Australia (AO) in 2001. In 1977 he was awarded the OBE for services to the Arts and in 1993 he was awarded an Australian Creative Fellowship. He was awarded the Wynne Prize in 1969 and 1985, the Sulman Prize in 1989 and the Archibald Prize in 2005 amongst many other awards throughout his six-decade-long career.

Access and Inclusion

  • Audio Described - Audio description is a service provided for patrons who are blind or have low vision. Trained audio describers give live, objective, verbal descriptions.
  • Features Audio - The event features audio.
  • Wheelchair Accessible - Access to the venue is suitable for wheelchairs (toilets, ramps/lifts etc.) and designated wheelchair spaces are available.

Event Details

The late Australian artist John Olsen's vibrant paintings of life and energy within the natural world illuminates the Sydney Opera House’s sails in 2023 as part of Vivid Sydney.

Distilling the essence of Olsen's esteemed career, spanning over sixty years, the animated artwork Lighting of the Sails: Life Enlivened spotlights Olsen’s enduring interest and fascination with Australian nature and landscape. Through images selected by curator Dr. Deborah Hart and animated by creative technologists Curiious, Life Enlivened (2023) celebrates the propulsive power of Olsen's painterly brush to envision the natural world anew.

On the night of April 11 2023, John Olsen passed away surrounded by family, age 95. Destination NSW sends our deepest condolences to the Olsen family. John was a giant of Australian art and his work will live on for generations to come. We are proud to be honouring his talent and creative legacy on the sails of the Sydney Opera House for Vivid Sydney 2023. We know John was excited and proud about this project. Vale.

Country represented by installation: Australia

Personalise MyVivid

Want the site to get more relevant to your tastes? Tap a few taste bubbles.

Want the site to get more relevant to your tastes? Sign up for a MyVivid Account.

Access and Inclusion

  • Audio Described - Audio description is a service provided for patrons who are blind or have low vision. Trained audio describers give live, objective, verbal descriptions.
  • Features Audio - The event features audio.
  • Wheelchair Accessible - Access to the venue is suitable for wheelchairs (toilets, ramps/lifts etc.) and designated wheelchair spaces are available.