John Olsen: Goya’s Dog

John Olsen: Goya’s Dog spans eight decades of Olsen’s practice, from the 1950s to the present. It delves into the introspective and darker elements of the artist’s practice, and contrasts these with the sunny, more exuberant aspects of his work.

The art and culture of Spain have had a tremendous impact on Olsen. He first spent time there from 1956-60 and returned subsequently.  This exhibition traces the ongoing influence of these Spanish encounters on the artist’s sensibility, his palette and how he views the landscape.

John Olsen: Goya’s Dog is born out of an ongoing conversation and correspondence between the late William ‘Bill’ Wright AM and his friend John Olsen AO OBE, who both studied and taught at the National Art School, and later were awarded NAS Fellowships.

"I’m 93, and I’m more entranced with the dark side. Not in a mournful sense, but in a sense of enquiry" - John Olsen

Curator: Steven Alderton based on a concept by William Wright.

John Olsen: Goya’s Dog at the National Art School was proudly supported by