Tim Olsen
The Offering by Jacqui Stockdale.
Detail: Panda by Stephen Ormandy.
Tim Olsen is one of Australia’s most prominent art dealers – he shares how he identifies an emerging artist, his proudest work moment and what it was like growing up in a home full of art.
‘The greatest art school I went to was growing up at home,’ says Tim Olsen.
Midnight by the Pool by Eliza Gosse.
H&F: Hi Tim, what’s been the most valuable lesson you have learnt since opening Olsen Gallery?
Tim: The most valuable lesson I’ve learnt is the importance of having artists at different stages of their development, spanning many generations, in the one stable. There are galleries that represent younger artists that come and go but ultimately the most successful galleries in the world are the ones that show many generations. I’ve also observed that this provides a support network for both the younger and older artists and creates a dialogue in the stable which is vitally important to both their practice and what we ultimately exhibit.
What does a ‘normal’ day at work look like for you?
I think I was attracted to working in the arts as no two days are the same. Any day can throw different possibilities and propositions; dealing with a variety of artists with unique issues and requirements. Owning a gallery is definitely not a 9-5 concern and we have many out of hours events so my work and social life are often interchangeable.
However coffee in the morning, and some form of exercise, are staples that I can’t live without.
What did you absorb most from growing up in a home full of art and creativity and how has it influenced your work today?
The greatest art school I went to was growing up at home. I was surrounded by objects, whether they be sculptures, paintings or ceramics or photography that were both a mystery but also became part of my subconscious. Being surrounded by artists and listening to conversations also provided the grassroots of an art education that I didn’t realise I was having until I got into the business itself.
What do you love most about what you do?
Personally, I enjoy being around creative people. The pre-covid travel was also wonderful and I particularly love that my job allows me the flexibility to mix with many layers of society.
Perhaps more importantly I appreciate how the gallery has been able to create security for my artists over its almost thirty years in operation. It’s very gratifying to see the artist’s prosper and create families and buy studios. I also love that the gallery provides a venue for the general public to facilitate a philosophy and is a place to explore ideas.
“My childhood homes made me appreciate the importance of art in forming the soul of a place.”
Olsen Gallery is a big supporter of new talent - how do you identify an emerging artist?
In identifying an emerging artist it all comes back to skills and ideas. I look for artists that essentially have an idea or metaphor, which they use to create objects whether they by two or three dimensional or digital. Personally, I feel that the work they produce must have a narrative or a conversation about it. My father (John Olsen) also taught me the importance of basic skills and especially drawing.
Is there anything in particular you look for?
I essentially look for an artist’s ability to draw, paint or to create something with a sense of newness and originality. It’s hard to describe but I know it the minute I see it.
What are the key elements a buyer should look for when selecting art?
For anybody, whether it’s to do with relationships or your choice of occupation, it’s the idea that you want to keep engaging, that you won’t bore of it and it will continue to nourish you in different ways. That as you grow, the work grows with you.
What has been your proudest work moment to date?
My proudest moment was the publishing of my memoir, Son of the Brush, that has subsequently become a best seller. To communicate a lifetime of experiences coupled with the history of the gallery has created many interesting stories, hard lessons and victories.
Who are the current 5 local artists we should be watching and what makes them stand out?
I think John Olsen may have potential! Going back to my original comment, I want to offer a comprehensive stable of artists that present exciting opportunities. From Eliza Gosse who is having her first exhibition with the gallery now to more established artists like Leila Jeffries, Jacqui Stockdale, John Young and Charlie Sheard that will be showing later in the year. We’ve also just signed a number of younger artists that provide the new collector an affordable start on their collecting journey.
What’s coming up for Olsen Gallery this year?
After two years of interruptions and postponements, I’m very much looking forward to having people in to see the exhibitions that our artists work incredibly hard to stage. We have a dynamic schedule across many mediums and I’m particularly looking forward to the Ken Sisters show from the APY Lands mid-year.
