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'My Salute to Five Bells by John Olsen charts the journey of one of Australia's greatest living artists at work on the biggest commission of his career. Member of the Order of Australia and Archibald-prize-winner John Olsen was an established artist in 1971 when commissioned to produce a mural for the Sydney Opera House. The process was at times intellectually and creatively stimulating and at others emotionally draining as Olsen battled ignorance-the mural was scratched with nails by unimpressed workmen onsite-time constraints and even silent judgement by royalty as he guided the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh past the mural under the gaze of the world's media. The result is a stunning aerial view of Sydney's harbour, populated with crabs and fish and squid, whose colours change as the sun moves across the sky.
'This book features a full reproduction of Olsen's illustrated journal, one of the most spectacular art manuscripts in the National Library of Australia's collection. This richly illustrated scrapbook of thoughts, quotes, diary entries, original drawings, and magazine and book clippings documents Olsen's Sydney Opera House experience from his initial speechlessness at being asked to do the mural to his attempts to instil 'wacky madness, more humour' into it and his very palpable relief towards the end. Olsen's great intellect and creativity shine through in his lists of 'Things I like', haikus, and playful and poetic expression. His margin notes and reminders, such as 'You've got to interrupt the gestalt' and 'Remember Olsen vitality transcends pleasure', offer great insight into the artistic process of one of our living treasures.' (Publication summary 2015 edition)
Contents
- Essay on Kenneth Slessor, single work
- Essay on Kenneth Slessor, single work
- For Kenneth Slessori"Hang it all, Slessor, as Pound once said to Browning,", single work poetry
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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An Aria to the Art
2015
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 3-4 October 2015; (p. 36) The Saturday Age , 3-4 October 2015; (p. 30)
— Review of My Salute to Five Bells : John Olsen's Opera House Journal 1973 single work -
form
y
Hidden Treasures : Inside the National Library with Betty Churcher : John Olsen's Opera House Mural ( dir. John Hughes ) Australia : Australian Broadcasting Corporation , 2008 Z1507719 2008 single work film/TV
-
An Aria to the Art
2015
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 3-4 October 2015; (p. 36) The Saturday Age , 3-4 October 2015; (p. 30)
— Review of My Salute to Five Bells : John Olsen's Opera House Journal 1973 single work -
form
y
Hidden Treasures : Inside the National Library with Betty Churcher : John Olsen's Opera House Mural ( dir. John Hughes ) Australia : Australian Broadcasting Corporation , 2008 Z1507719 2008 single work film/TV