Concrete Playground

Even if you don't know much about art, about composition and brushstrokes and particular movements, you probably know what you like. What medium tends to grab you, or what colours and shapes.

Every time I look at a Margaret Olley painting I can easily say that's what I like. I like the colours, the thickness of the oil paint, worked on layer upon layer. I like the simple subjects. Flowers and vases and fruit. Footage of her walking around her house showed that this was exactly what she lived among - bright colourful furniture, huge bouquets of flowers bursting from their vases and lots of greens, purples, oranges and deep reds.

In memory of Margaret Olley, who passed away in July aged 88, the Art Gallery of NSW is holding a tribute exhibition to the beloved Australian artist. One of the last exhibitions under the current director Edmund Capon before his impending retirement, this will be one to see. Take your mum along and remember a fine Australian artist, celebrated by all and painter of a bygone era.