He was known for his remarkable depictions of landscapes and nature, which were widely acclaimed throughout his six-decade-long career.
Olsen was born in Newcastle in 1928 and developed a lifelong passion for art from a very young age. He went on to become one of the most renowned and respected artists in the country, with his work displayed in galleries both nationally and internationally.
Throughout his career, Olsen was the recipient of numerous prestigious awards and honours, including the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes. He was also awarded an OBE in 1977 and made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2001.
In addition to his paintings, Olsen was also an accomplished ceramicist, tapestry weaver and printmaker, creating a wide variety of art throughout his life.
The news of Olsen’s passing was confirmed by his son, Tim Olsen, who shared that the artist died peacefully on Tuesday evening, surrounded by loved ones.
Tributes have poured in for the beloved artist, with many describing him as a national treasure and a titan of the Australian art world.
His son, Tim, praised his father’s artistic contributions, saying that “apart from our First Nation artists, he changed the perspective and way that Australians looked at our magnificent landscape. He was a landscape poet to the end and a titan of the Australian art world.”
Olsen’s work was greatly inspired by the Australian landscape, and he was known for his depictions of the sun, water and remote landscapes such as Lake Eyre in South Australia.
