Margaret Olley was one of Australia's most celebrated and beloved painters, known primarily for her richly colored still life and interior compositions. Born in regional New South Wales, Olley showed early promise in art and pursued formal studies at the Brisbane Central Technical College and later at East Sydney Technical College (now the National Art School), where she graduated in 1945.
Her career spanned over six decades, during which she gained recognition for her distinctive use of color, attention to domestic detail, and celebration of everyday objects — from flowers and fruit to furniture and crockery. Olley's work often reflected the charm and beauty she found in ordinary life, rendered with painterly brushwork and a vibrant palette.
Despite her fame, Olley remained deeply humble and committed to her craft. Her home and studio in Paddington, Sydney, were famously cluttered and became a source of inspiration and subject matter for her work. This space was faithfully recreated at the Margaret Olley Art Centre in Murwillumbah, NSW, which opened in 2014 as part of the Tweed Regional Gallery.
Beyond her artistic contributions, Olley was also a significant art philanthropist, supporting public galleries and fellow artists through generous donations and mentorship. She was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1991 and later Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 2006 for her services to the arts.
Margaret Olley's legacy endures through her artwork, her influence on generations of Australian artists, and her lasting impact on the cultural landscape of the nation.
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