The Artist’s Garden
12 May – 12 June 2021
Mitchell Fine Art Gallery, Fortitude Valley
Memories of travel formed the inspiration for a new exhibition by Sydney artist Bernard Ollis, now showing at Mitchell Fine Art. Confined to his home following knee surgery, Ollis spent many hours in his backyard recalling the numerous artists gardens and studios he has visited during his lifetime – Monet, Matisse, Van Gogh – encouraged by artists that had been inspired by nature in their own work.
As an artist and teacher, Ollis has acted as a tour guide to students with visits to many of the studios and gardens portrayed in his paintings. “My paintings are not picture postcards, or the social media equivalent, but personal and original interpretations of special environments,” said Ollis.
Primarily a figurative artist, Ollis’ interest lies with the human form; the everyday lives of people, what environment they create and inhabit, however in this exhibition it is nature that has formed the inspiration.
With a career spanning over 50 years Bernard Ollis is the former Director of the National Art School and has had a constant stream of successful exhibitions. His work has been acquired in collections such as the National Art Gallery of Australia, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Queensland Art Gallery, and the Royal College of Art UK. Throughout his career, Ollis has been selected several times for prestigious Australian Art Prizes including the Sulman Art Prize, the Dobell Art Prize and the Salon des Refuses.
Free Events:
Exhibition Opening – Friday 14th May at 6pm with Bernard Ollis in attendance.
Artist Talk – Saturday 15th May from 2pm.
For further information, visit the Mitchell Fine Art website
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