The differing worlds of the natural and constructed landscapes have formed the inspiration for a new exhibition by Bernard Ollis OAM, showing at Mitchell Fine Art from 22nd August 2023.
Bernard Ollis is a British born, Australia artist. He has an extensive academic and professional portfolio across numerous arts institutions within Australia and Europe and is the former and longest serving Director of the National Art School in Sydney.
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.
“My paintings are not picture postcards, or the social media equivalent, but personal and original interpretations of special environments.” says Ollis.
In his typical whimsical style, Bernard Ollis has produced artworks of the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest in far north Queensland as well paintings from his second home in Paris, echoing the European landscape and history.
‘These different worlds are on the face of it, so dissimilar, yet they have much in common’, says Ollis. ‘Both worlds represent decay and rebirth, and in that regeneration, as an artist, they offer me an abundance of possibilities for creativity’.
Throughout his career, Bernard Ollis has been selected several times for prestigious Australian Art Prizes including the Sulman and the Dobell Art Prize, as well as the Salon des Refuses.
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.
In June this year Bernard Ollis was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to the visual arts, and to education.
Bernard will present an Artist Talk on Saturday 26th August from 2pm, to be followed by drinks. This is a wonderful opportunity for art lovers to join Bernard as he delves deep into the inspiration and technique of his artistic practice and life. (This is a free event)
The exhibition is showing from 22 August to 9 September.
Mitchell Fine Art is located at 86 Arthur St in Fortitude Valley Brisbane. The gallery is open is open 6 days a week: Monday to Friday 10am - 5.30pm and Saturday 10am – 5pm, with onsite parking available.
Art enthusiasts can also follow/like the gallery on Facebook and Instagram or sign up to the gallery’s mailing list to receive information on exhibitions and events.
For more information please contact (07) 3254 2297 or email: admin@mitchellfineartgallery.com
1 comment
I have my mother on a wheelie walker/ i understand there is parking / are they steps? and if so, how many?
Joanne