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John Olsen (Australian artist)

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44: 165: 460:. In 1962, he married fellow artist Valerie Strong. His daughter Jane Olsen (with first wife Mary Flower), died in 2009. John Olsen was married to his third wife, artist Noela Hjorth until 1986 and married his fourth wife, Katharine Howard, in 1989. Katharine Howard died in 2016. 366:
and exhibited at Terry Clune Galleries in Sydney. In the early 1960s, Olsen began painting ceilings, the first, 'Summer in the You Beaut Country', a commission from art dealer, Frank McDonald, followed by 'Darlinghurst Cats', 'Sea Sun and Five Bells' (gifted to the
413:, Olsen rejected this label, stating, "I have never painted an abstract painting in my life". He described his work as "an exploration of the totality of landscape". Olsen published his diaries, under the title 'Drawn From Life', in 1997. Olsen's book 341:
and completed in 1973. Olsen's is marked by a deep engagement with the Australian landscape and he lived for long periods in different parts of the country and traveled widely in it. He served on the boards of the
882: 271:, Spain. Olsen sent works back from Spain for his first solo exhibition at Macquarie Galleries in Sydney, 6–8 August 1958. In the exhibition catalogue artist's statement, Olsen referred to 275:'s maxim of 'taking the line for a holiday.' Olsen returned to Sydney in 1960 and began teaching at East Sydney Technical College (now the National Art School) where he had also studied. 1205: 779: 1479: 1434: 927: 824: 946: 394:
and two other ABC employees died in a helicopter crash at the lake, but declined due to ill-health. He later offered a painting and a poem in memory of those killed.
645: 379:). 'Le Soleil' and 'La Primavera' were exhibited at Clune Galleries, with 'Sydney Sun' (as 'King Sun') exhibited at South Yarra Gallery, Melbourne in 1965. 470: 1330: 673: 424:
Olsen is well known for his paintings of frogs and for including frogs in many of his works. In 2013, he began work on his largest painting since
182: 968: 440:. The work depicts a brilliant Australian sun (including three frogs). Olsen and his work on the mural are the subject of 2014 documentary 1429: 539:
Olsen's early awards included the 1960 Rockdale Art Award, Arncliffe; the 1961 H.C. Richards Memorial Prize, Queensland Art Gallery, for
140: 33: 1469: 1424: 760: 986: 1459: 1449: 505: 1464: 901: 1321: 230: 1474: 1444: 1161: 1054: 807: 204: 137: 29: 551:, exhibited as 'Painting' NFS. In 1964, he was awarded the Launceston Art Purchase Exhibition Prize, Tasmania, with 236:
After leaving school in 1943, he went to the Dattillo Rubbo Art School in 1947 and from 1950 to 1953 studied at the
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which contains the artist's thoughts, diary entries and his original drawing for the work, was published by the
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Olsen's works have been exhibited at numerous solo and group shows across Australia and internationally.
521: 489: 883:"'At last she is being heard': Valerie Strong, matriarch of the Olsen family, has first solo exhibition" 525: 218: 71: 319: 286:, instilling a life-long love affair with cooking and food. He also worked for brief periods in both 1335: 1219: 237: 1138: 482: 175: 90: 329:
In 1968, Olsen set up and ran the Bakery Art School and in 1970, he was commissioned by the Sir
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Art Foundation to paint a large mural entitled, 'Salute to Five Bells', which was inspired by
43: 1110: 1068: 619: 517: 376: 368: 1414: 1409: 928:"'Very relieved': John Olsen happy after torrid legal fight over $ 2.2 million cash 'gift'" 544: 8: 1139:"John Olsen: Self-portrait Janus-faced :: Archibald Prize 2005 | Art Gallery of NSW" 646:"'Never ran out of ideas': John Olsen, acclaimed artist and Archibald winner, dead at 95" 437: 1124: 1111:"John Olsen: A road to Clarendon - autumn :: Wynne Prize 1985 | Art Gallery of NSW" 610:
Olsen's work is represented in all Australian state gallery collections, including the
529: 406: 363: 1069:"John Olsen: The chasing bird landscape :: Wynne Prize 1969 | Art Gallery of NSW" 1353: 1288: 1269: 803: 469:
His daughter Louise Olsen is a co-founder of cult Australian fashion jewellery label
1340: 1179: 1040: 1012: 780:"Sallie Don, "John Olsen offers painting and poetry in honour of ABC's Paul Lockyer" 1026: 493: 462: 295: 143:(21 January 1928 – 11 April 2023) was an Australian artist and winner of the 2005 1376: 1325: 1318: 578: 533: 457: 334: 279: 144: 122: 1268:. Melbourne, Vic.: Australian Galleries Pty Ltd in association with John Olsen. 1206:"John Olsen's sheer delight in the Australian landscape shines in this NGV show" 691: 570:(1985). In 1989, Olsen won the Sulman (the Sir John Sulman Prize) with his work 501: 433: 330: 315: 245: 226: 1096: 1082: 947:"Dinosaur Designs Wins Australian Fashion Laureate Lifetime Achievement Award" 867: 746: 466:
is a 2020 memoir by Tim Olsen about his life as the son of artist John Olsen.
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and Deià, as an apprentice chef. During this period, he was influenced by the
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business man, Robert Shaw and his then wife, Annette, supported by art critic
1403: 732: 718: 323: 299: 1391: 410: 391: 372: 849: 825:"My Salute to Five Bells review: How the Slessor poem inspired John Olsen" 547:; the Perth Prize; and the Royal Easter Show A.E. Armstrong Art Prize for 307: 1369: 559: 524:; in 1993, he was awarded an Australian Creative Fellowship; and, in the 311: 222: 113: 1055:"Journey into the you beaut country no.2 - John Olsen - QAGOMA Learning" 1349: 338: 260: 189: in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. 662:
The new McCulloch's encyclopedia of Australia art, MUP, 2006, p. 746.
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sponsored Olsen to go to Europe and paint. After visiting London and
148: 310:. He also developed an interest in Eastern philosophy (specifically 164: 761:"Andrew Taylor, "I was meant to be on that helicopter, says Olsen"" 291: 249: 1151:
p.747 The new McCulloch's encyclopedia of Australia art, MUP, 2006
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p.746 The new McCulloch's encyclopedia of Australia art, MUP, 2006
1344: 674:"John Olsen: the last of Australia's great generation of artists" 268: 987:"Acclaimed Australian landscape artist John Olsen dies aged 95" 453: 241: 390:, in 2011 he was invited to be a member of the party in which 225:
with his family in 1935 and began a lifelong fascination with
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in Sydney, and Auburn School from 1950 to 1956. In 1957,
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in 2011 by Ann Lewis) and 'Life Burst' (commissioned by
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Australian Officers of the Order of the British Empire
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Art Gallery of New South Wales Collection: John Olsen
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People educated at St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill
1246:"Newcastle Art Gallery - John Olsen: The City's Son" 1162:"Olsen wins Archibald with self-portrait - ABC News" 428:. Eight metres by six metres wide, on eight panels, 601:, Melbourne (16 September 2016 – 12 February 2017) 1401: 854:National Library of Australia (audio interview) 962: 960: 481:Olsen died on 11 April 2023, at his home near 322:) and poetry through his friendship with poet 252:in England, he left for continental Europe. 788:, , 24 March 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2017 957: 802:. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 769:, 21 August 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2017 543:, awarded by the judge of the competition, 444:, directed by New Zealander Tony Williams. 944: 154: 966: 925: 401:. One of Olsen's most successful murals, 205:Learn how and when to remove this message 822: 597:2016 John Olsen: The You Beaut Country, 520:, Olsen was appointed an Officer of the 622:, which holds several important works. 326:, which continued to inspire his work. 1402: 945:Huntington, Patty (30 November 2020). 899: 880: 671: 643: 409:. Although he has been labelled as an 147:. Olsen's primary subject of work was 1301: 926:Whitbourn, Michael (21 August 2020). 850:"John Olsen: My Salute to Five Bells" 797: 639: 637: 635: 528:, he was appointed an Officer of the 1331:National Gallery Victoria John Olsen 1282: 1263: 386:series. He was a regular visitor to 187:adding citations to reliable sources 158: 541:Journey into you Beaut Country No 2 532:. Additionally, he was awarded the 278:In Deià, Olsen learnt to cook from 13: 1430:Officers of the Order of Australia 1180:"John Olsen The You Beaut Country" 823:Falconer, Delia (3 October 2015). 632: 549:People who live in Victoria Street 267:in 1957, followed by two years in 14: 1491: 1312: 1306:. Melbourne, Vic: Georgian House. 1041:"It's an Honour: Centenary Medal" 881:Morris, Linda (16 October 2021). 508:aired a tribute to Olsen's life. 231:St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill 1470:20th-century Australian painters 1425:Australian contemporary painters 1287:. Sydney, NSW: Craftsman House. 1226:. Art Gallery of New South Wales 902:"Joy in making beautiful things" 447: 314:'s Zen and Japanese Culture and 221:on 21 January 1928. He moved to 163: 42: 1460:Julian Ashton Art School alumni 1256: 1238: 1212: 1198: 1172: 1154: 1145: 1131: 1117: 1103: 1089: 1075: 1061: 1047: 1033: 1019: 1005: 979: 938: 919: 900:Petley, William (20 May 2009). 893: 874: 860: 842: 816: 791: 772: 692:"John Olsen – about the artist" 644:Morris, Linda (11 April 2023). 174:needs additional citations for 1186:. National Gallery of Victoria 753: 739: 725: 711: 702: 684: 665: 656: 612:Art Gallery of New South Wales 605: 588: 344:Art Gallery of New South Wales 1: 1450:Australian landscape painters 672:Ripley, Amy (11 April 2023). 625: 616:National Gallery of Australia 526:Australia Day Honours of 2001 498:National Gallery of Australia 419:National Library of Australia 348:National Gallery of Australia 255:Olsen studied printmaking at 16:Australian artist (1928–2023) 1465:Australian portrait painters 599:National Gallery of Victoria 353: 284:A Book of Mediterranean Food 7: 568:A Road to Clarendon: Autumn 522:Order of the British Empire 490:Prime Minister of Australia 488:Tributes were given by the 10: 1496: 1475:Australian modern painters 1445:National Art School alumni 572:Don Quixote enters the Inn 564:The Chasing Bird Landscape 518:New Year's Honours of 1977 362:which was acquired by the 72:Newcastle, New South Wales 1388: 1385:Self portrait Janus Faced 1374: 1366: 1361: 1097:"Reference at nla.gov.au" 1083:"Reference at nla.gov.au" 932:The Sydney Morning Herskd 906:The Sydney Morning Herald 887:The Sydney Morning Herald 829:The Sydney Morning Herald 747:"Reference at nla.gov.au" 733:"Reference at nla.gov.au" 719:"Reference at nla.gov.au" 678:The Sydney Morning Herald 650:The Sydney Morning Herald 583:Self portrait Janus Faced 511: 397:His later works included 382:His artworks include the 320:Zen in the Art of Archery 106: 98: 79: 53: 41: 23: 1302:Spate, Virginia (1963). 476: 399:Golden Summer, Clarendon 238:Julian Ashton Art School 1420:Archibald Prize winners 1220:"Collection John Olsen" 800:My Salute to Five Bells 483:Bowral, New South Wales 415:My Salute to Five Bells 358:In 1960, Olsen painted 217:John Olsen was born in 155:Early life and training 91:Bowral, New South Wales 1319:John Olsen on Artabase 1283:Hart, Deborah (1991). 1264:Hart, Deborah (1988). 868:"Art – Collins Square" 558:Olsen was awarded the 496:, and director of the 452:John Olsen lived near 405:, is currently in the 257:Stanley William Hayter 1324:26 March 2012 at the 1013:"It's an Honour: OBE" 767:Sydney Morning Herald 620:Newcastle Art Gallery 485:, at the age of 95. 377:Newcastle Art Gallery 369:Newcastle Art Gallery 119:Sir John Sulman Prize 1224:artgallerynsw.gov.au 1027:"It's an Honour: AO" 798:Olsen, John (2015). 566:(1969) and 1985 for 426:Salute to Five Bells 403:Salute to Five Bells 183:improve this article 1455:Wynne Prize winners 577:Olsen won the 2005 536:on 1 January 2001. 438:Melbourne Docklands 384:Lake Eyre and frogs 1440:People from Bowral 951:Women’s Wear Daily 530:Order of Australia 407:Sydney Opera House 364:Art Gallery of NSW 263:etching studio in 1398: 1397: 1389:Succeeded by 1208:. 4 October 2016. 763:. 20 August 2011. 614:(131 works); the 581:for his portrait 562:in both 1969 for 360:Spanish Encounter 215: 214: 207: 132: 131: 1487: 1367:Preceded by 1359: 1358: 1307: 1298: 1279: 1250: 1249: 1242: 1236: 1235: 1233: 1231: 1216: 1210: 1209: 1202: 1196: 1195: 1193: 1191: 1176: 1170: 1169: 1168:. 29 April 2005. 1158: 1152: 1149: 1143: 1142: 1135: 1129: 1128: 1121: 1115: 1114: 1107: 1101: 1100: 1093: 1087: 1086: 1079: 1073: 1072: 1065: 1059: 1058: 1051: 1045: 1044: 1037: 1031: 1030: 1023: 1017: 1016: 1009: 1003: 1002: 1000: 998: 983: 977: 976: 964: 955: 954: 942: 936: 935: 923: 917: 916: 914: 912: 897: 891: 890: 878: 872: 871: 864: 858: 857: 846: 840: 839: 837: 835: 820: 814: 813: 795: 789: 783: 776: 770: 764: 757: 751: 750: 743: 737: 736: 729: 723: 722: 715: 709: 706: 700: 699: 688: 682: 681: 669: 663: 660: 654: 653: 641: 553:Me, the Gardener 545:Russell Drysdale 494:Anthony Albanese 471:Dinosaur Designs 463:Son of the Brush 210: 203: 199: 196: 190: 167: 159: 135:John Henry Olsen 86: 67: 65: 58:John Henry Olsen 46: 36: 21: 20: 1495: 1494: 1490: 1489: 1488: 1486: 1485: 1484: 1400: 1399: 1394: 1382: 1380: 1377:Archibald Prize 1372: 1343:discography at 1326:Wayback Machine 1315: 1310: 1295: 1276: 1259: 1254: 1253: 1244: 1243: 1239: 1229: 1227: 1218: 1217: 1213: 1204: 1203: 1199: 1189: 1187: 1178: 1177: 1173: 1160: 1159: 1155: 1150: 1146: 1137: 1136: 1132: 1123: 1122: 1118: 1109: 1108: 1104: 1095: 1094: 1090: 1081: 1080: 1076: 1067: 1066: 1062: 1053: 1052: 1048: 1039: 1038: 1034: 1025: 1024: 1020: 1011: 1010: 1006: 996: 994: 993:. 12 April 2023 985: 984: 980: 967:Martin Farrer. 965: 958: 943: 939: 924: 920: 910: 908: 898: 894: 879: 875: 866: 865: 861: 856:. 19 July 2015. 848: 847: 843: 833: 831: 821: 817: 810: 796: 792: 778: 777: 773: 759: 758: 754: 745: 744: 740: 731: 730: 726: 717: 716: 712: 707: 703: 690: 689: 685: 670: 666: 661: 657: 642: 633: 628: 608: 591: 579:Archibald Prize 534:Centenary Medal 516:In Australia's 514: 479: 458:New South Wales 450: 411:abstract artist 356: 335:Kenneth Slessor 280:Elizabeth David 211: 200: 194: 191: 180: 168: 157: 145:Archibald Prize 128: 123:Archibald Prize 94: 88: 84: 75: 69: 68:21 January 1928 63: 61: 60: 59: 49: 37: 28: 26: 17: 12: 11: 5: 1493: 1483: 1482: 1477: 1472: 1467: 1462: 1457: 1452: 1447: 1442: 1437: 1432: 1427: 1422: 1417: 1412: 1396: 1395: 1390: 1387: 1373: 1368: 1364: 1363: 1357: 1356: 1347: 1338: 1333: 1328: 1314: 1313:External links 1311: 1309: 1308: 1299: 1293: 1280: 1274: 1260: 1258: 1255: 1252: 1251: 1237: 1211: 1197: 1171: 1153: 1144: 1130: 1116: 1102: 1088: 1074: 1060: 1046: 1032: 1018: 1004: 991:www.abc.net.au 978: 956: 937: 918: 892: 873: 859: 841: 815: 808: 790: 786:The Australian 771: 752: 738: 724: 710: 701: 683: 664: 655: 630: 629: 627: 624: 607: 604: 603: 602: 590: 587: 513: 510: 506:ABC Television 502:Nick Mitzevich 478: 475: 449: 446: 434:Collins Square 375:, also in the 355: 352: 331:William Dobell 316:Eugen Herrigel 246:Paul Haefliger 229:. He attended 227:Sydney Harbour 213: 212: 171: 169: 162: 156: 153: 130: 129: 127: 126: 120: 117: 110: 108: 104: 103: 100: 96: 95: 89: 87:(aged 95) 81: 77: 76: 70: 57: 55: 51: 50: 47: 39: 38: 27: 24: 15: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1492: 1481: 1478: 1476: 1473: 1471: 1468: 1466: 1463: 1461: 1458: 1456: 1453: 1451: 1448: 1446: 1443: 1441: 1438: 1436: 1433: 1431: 1428: 1426: 1423: 1421: 1418: 1416: 1413: 1411: 1408: 1407: 1405: 1393: 1386: 1379: 1378: 1371: 1365: 1360: 1355: 1351: 1348: 1346: 1342: 1339: 1337: 1334: 1332: 1329: 1327: 1323: 1320: 1317: 1316: 1305: 1300: 1296: 1290: 1286: 1281: 1277: 1271: 1267: 1262: 1261: 1247: 1241: 1225: 1221: 1215: 1207: 1201: 1185: 1181: 1175: 1167: 1163: 1157: 1148: 1140: 1134: 1126: 1120: 1112: 1106: 1098: 1092: 1084: 1078: 1070: 1064: 1056: 1050: 1042: 1036: 1028: 1022: 1014: 1008: 992: 988: 982: 974: 970: 963: 961: 952: 948: 941: 933: 929: 922: 907: 903: 896: 888: 884: 877: 869: 863: 855: 851: 845: 830: 826: 819: 811: 809:9780642278821 805: 801: 794: 787: 781: 775: 768: 762: 756: 748: 742: 734: 728: 720: 714: 705: 697: 693: 687: 679: 675: 668: 659: 651: 647: 640: 638: 636: 631: 623: 621: 617: 613: 600: 596: 595: 594: 586: 584: 580: 575: 573: 569: 565: 561: 556: 554: 550: 546: 542: 537: 535: 531: 527: 523: 519: 509: 507: 503: 499: 495: 491: 486: 484: 474: 472: 467: 465: 464: 459: 455: 448:Personal life 445: 443: 439: 435: 431: 427: 422: 420: 416: 412: 408: 404: 400: 395: 393: 389: 385: 380: 378: 374: 370: 365: 361: 351: 349: 345: 340: 336: 332: 327: 325: 324:Robert Graves 321: 317: 313: 309: 305: 301: 300:Jean Dubuffet 297: 296:Antoni Tàpies 293: 289: 285: 281: 276: 274: 270: 266: 262: 258: 253: 251: 247: 243: 239: 234: 232: 228: 224: 220: 209: 206: 198: 195:December 2020 188: 184: 178: 177: 172:This section 170: 166: 161: 160: 152: 150: 146: 142: 139: 136: 124: 121: 118: 115: 112: 111: 109: 105: 101: 97: 92: 83:11 April 2023 82: 78: 73: 56: 52: 48:Olsen in 2015 45: 40: 35: 31: 22: 19: 1392:Marcus Wills 1384: 1375: 1303: 1284: 1265: 1257:Bibliography 1240: 1228:. Retrieved 1223: 1214: 1200: 1188:. Retrieved 1183: 1174: 1165: 1156: 1147: 1133: 1119: 1105: 1091: 1077: 1063: 1049: 1035: 1021: 1007: 995:. Retrieved 990: 981: 973:The Guardian 972: 950: 940: 931: 921: 911:20 September 909:. Retrieved 905: 895: 886: 876: 862: 853: 844: 832:. Retrieved 828: 818: 799: 793: 785: 774: 766: 755: 741: 727: 713: 704: 695: 686: 677: 667: 658: 649: 609: 592: 582: 576: 571: 567: 563: 557: 552: 548: 540: 538: 515: 487: 480: 468: 461: 451: 442:The King Sun 441: 432:was hung in 430:The King Sun 429: 425: 423: 414: 402: 398: 396: 392:Paul Lockyer 383: 381: 373:Thelma Clune 359: 357: 328: 283: 277: 254: 235: 216: 201: 192: 181:Please help 176:verification 173: 134: 133: 116:(1968, 1985) 85:(2023-04-11) 18: 1415:2023 deaths 1410:1928 births 1370:Craig Ruddy 834:8 September 696:Olsen Irwin 606:Collections 589:Exhibitions 560:Wynne Prize 312:D.T. Suzuki 223:Bondi Beach 114:Wynne Prize 99:Nationality 93:, Australia 74:, Australia 1404:Categories 1350:John Olsen 1341:John Olsen 1304:John Olsen 1294:9768097213 1285:John Olsen 1275:0731623673 1266:John Olsen 1184:ngv.gov.au 626:References 306:group and 261:Atelier 17 102:Australian 64:1928-01-21 25:John Olsen 997:26 August 421:in 2015. 388:Lake Eyre 354:Art works 308:Joan Miró 273:Paul Klee 219:Newcastle 149:landscape 1322:Archived 1230:6 August 1190:6 August 1166:ABC News 346:and the 294:artists 250:Cornwall 1362:Awards 1345:Discogs 698:. 2016. 436:in the 292:Tachist 1291:  1272:  806:  512:Awards 454:Bowral 302:, the 242:Sydney 125:(2005) 107:Awards 477:Death 304:CoBrA 288:Ibiza 265:Paris 32: 1383:for 1381:2005 1354:IMDb 1289:ISBN 1270:ISBN 1232:2019 1192:2019 999:2023 913:2016 836:2017 804:ISBN 339:poem 298:and 269:Deià 80:Died 54:Born 1352:at 337:'s 318:'s 282:'s 259:'s 233:. 185:by 141:OBE 34:OBE 1406:: 1222:. 1182:. 1164:. 989:. 971:. 959:^ 949:. 930:. 904:. 885:. 852:. 827:. 784:, 765:, 694:. 676:. 648:. 634:^ 585:. 574:. 555:. 504:. 500:, 492:, 473:. 456:, 350:. 151:. 138:AO 30:AO 1297:. 1278:. 1248:. 1234:. 1194:. 1141:. 1127:. 1113:. 1099:. 1085:. 1071:. 1057:. 1043:. 1029:. 1015:. 1001:. 975:. 953:. 934:. 915:. 889:. 870:. 838:. 812:. 782:. 749:. 735:. 721:. 680:. 652:. 208:) 202:( 197:) 193:( 179:. 66:) 62:(

Index

AO
OBE

Newcastle, New South Wales
Bowral, New South Wales
Wynne Prize
Archibald Prize
AO
OBE
Archibald Prize
landscape

verification
improve this article
adding citations to reliable sources
Learn how and when to remove this message
Newcastle
Bondi Beach
Sydney Harbour
St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill
Julian Ashton Art School
Sydney
Paul Haefliger
Cornwall
Stanley William Hayter
Atelier 17
Paris
Deià
Paul Klee
Elizabeth David

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