Sublime tribute: Weatherboard whimsy and other wonders
Bernard Ollis’ bold artworks pay homage to weatherboard homes and places like Paris – among the many wonders in his latest colourful Brisbane show.
He had a fresh eye when he first arrived in Australia as a young man and decades later Bernard Ollis’ take on things is still as fresh today. He’s still exploring new horizons in his adopted country.
Ollis’ latest show at Mitchell Fine Art in Fortitude Valley is lively, to say the least. He and his partner, the Archibald Prize-winning artist Wendy Sharpe (who will soon be showing up the road at Philip Bacon Galleries) are both very colourful artists with unique styles. They spend part of each year in Paris, where they have an apartment, so as usual there are some Parisian works in this latest Brisbane exhibition by Ollis.
There are also paintings (oils and oil pastels) of India and Australia and the UK.
The exhibition is called From the Inside, Looking Out. In his artist statement Ollis explains himself quite clearly: As the work developed in my studio over the past year for this solo exhibition … I began to realise that the common thread, in terms of subject matter, was based upon looking from one environment out to another. This revelation gave me the theme and title which I have given this exhibition.
“As a visual artist, a good artwork should never reveal all of its secrets to you in one hit. In my opinion the best art, in any museum or gallery, forces you to return, and when you do it reveals to you (and only you) something more. Sometimes this experience takes hours, or even days, before you get there. You could liken the event to listening to a serious musical piece.
“These particular artworks have been created and inspired by visits to specific locations, imagined or seen. They are never about accurate copies, or representation. After all, that is the role of the camera.”
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Born in England, Ollis graduated from Cardiff College of Art and Design, Wales, and received his master of art (painting) from the Royal College of Art, London, where one of his tutors was the great David Hockney. (The pair share that love of colour.)
Artist Bernard Ollis.
He is the former director of the National Art School in Sydney and has had a constant stream of successful solo exhibitions. He 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 (2003, 2011) and the Dobell Art Prize (2000, 2001, 2002).
Queensland Verandah.
For all his qualifications his paintings are not academic – they are accessible and often pure fun, although there are layers within layers when you spend some time with them. Together in an exhibition they are vivid and jaunty and many are oh, so familiar.
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He came to Australia in 1976 to take up a teaching post in Darwin. He first passed through Brisbane in 1977 and has returned often and loves our weatherboard homes.
“Those first visions of Queenslanders have stayed with me,” he says. “I loved the tropical aspect of the city and the intense colours.”
Queensland Verandah and Weatherboard with Fan, in particular, are works that pay tribute to Queensland architecture and interiors, although they are not actual places but, rather, amalgams of features that we are all so familiar with.
Saint Eustace Cafe Paris.
The Lake at Pushkar India.
He also discovered unique local architecture in Broken Hill, west of Sydney, where he and Wendy Sharpe live and work. Broken Hill Verandah 1 and Broken Hill Verandah 2 are reminiscent of Queensland architecture with an Outback twist.
There are lovely evocations of Paris, too, including the gorgeous Parisian Lady with Cat and Pigalle View, Paris.
Wherever he goes Bernard Ollis finds fresh subject matter.
“I never run out of inspiration,” he says. “I love to travel and I use all these experiences in my work. I haven’t been to Lightning Ridge and I want to go there. I’d like to spend more time in those Outback places.”
From the Inside Looking Out continues at Mitchell Fine Art, Fortitude Valley, until May 31. Join Bernard Ollis in the gallery for an artist talk on May 17 at 2pm, followed by drinks.