John Wolseley, old master

John Wolseley was born in Somerset, England in 1938 and moved to Australia in 1976. Since then, he has emerged as one of the country's most important artists, renowned for his drawings, paintings and installations that explore Australia's diverse flora, fauna and landscapes. 'I have lived and worked all over the continent, from the mountains of Tasmania to the floodplains of Arnhem Land,' he wrote in 2018. Instead of depicting landscapes in the traditional European studio manner, Wolseley physically engages with the places he paints, such as taking rubbings from natural forms including trees and termite mounds, and often allowing his works to be physically shaped by the sun, wind and rain on location.

Wolseley's work is the result of deep study of the environments he illustrates - he often spends weeks onsite researching local ecosystems before making anything. He has described his methodical approach as a combination of art and science, and he is celebrated in both fields. In 2005, he was made an Honorary Doctor of Science by Macquarie University to reflect his deep knowledge of natural history, zoology and botany. His work is represented in collections in every Australian state and territory and in public and private collections internationally.

Gift of the artist 2023. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.