Title

John Olsen 'Sydney Harbour - seaport and desire'.

Venues

Port Jackson Press [Gallery] (2 May 2003 – 1 June 2003)

Date

(2003)

Summary

Single-artist exhibition. Located: Australia (VIC). Prints.

Country of context

Australia

Abstract

The new suite of etchings by John Olsen, Sydney Harbour – Seaport of Desire, will be launched at Port Jackson Press Gallery in Melbourne on Friday 2^nd May. 

According to Tim Olsen, in his introduction to the suite, this title refers to one of John Olsen’s earliest harbour works titled Entrance to the Seaport of Desire 1964 – a reflection of it as a ‘salacious woman’[1], “… like a devouring sun bitch goddess”[2].

The seven etchings comprising Sydney Harbour – Seaport of Desire highlight another aspect of Olsen’s feelings towards the harbour.  Having lived the bulk of his life there, he celebrates it through fond memories of growing up by the sea, its great icons – the bridge, the opera house, Bondi Beach – and its frenetic lifestyle.

The suite originated when, in August 2002, Jeff Makin from Port Jackson Press Australia, art consultant Ken McGregor and master printers Belinda Fox and John Neeson transported a proofing press and a portable printmaking studio from Fitzroy, Melbourne to John Olsen’s studio at “Owl’s Wood” near Bowral, NSW.  Olsen created and proofed the plates at his studio, and the editions were printed at Port Jackson Press Australia, Melbourne, in 2003.

After ten years, this Melbourne exhibition is exciting!  Not only does it feature the new Sydney Harbour – Seaport of Desire etchings, there is a fascinating selection from some of Olsen’s other works on paper – a small survey of prints, drawings and watercolours.  

Following Olsen’s exhibition of new paintings at Metro 5 Gallery, Armadale, the works on paper survey and new etchings give us an insight into where this grand old master of Australian art came from, and where he is today. [PJP media]

[1] Olsen, Tim Sydney Harbour-Seaport of Desire, 2003, opening page
[2] ibid. (quoted from John Olsen)