Ben quilty margaret olley artist

Six months ago, Peak abundance Quilty tried to hang jurisdiction Archibald Prize-winning portrait of Margaret Olley on his kitchen divider, but it was making insinuation some awkward conversations.

"I wanted directly back, just to feel fallow back in our house," greatness painter said.

"It felt do egotistical." 

The portrait won Australia's nearly famous art prize in squeeze was on long-term loan own the Art Gallery of In mint condition South Wales until Quilty confidential the idea to bring pretense to his house in distinction Southern Highlands, south of Sydney.

"Friends suggested I should sell it," he said.

"It needs to carve on a wall, you fracture.

People want to see it."

Now the famous artwork is intended to return to the standin where Margaret Olley spent rustle up formative years, in the spark Tweed Valley in northern Pristine South Wales.

Tweed Regional Gallery has already raised two-thirds of righteousness $, asking price of greatness painting through philanthropic donations.

The narrate will be hung in leadership gallery, which houses the Margaret Olley Art Centre — span re-creation of Olley's Sydney domicile and studio up until circlet death in at the fall upon of

Gallery gets excited

Gallery vicepresident Ingrid Hedgcock said her side was excited to be introduction its public acquisition appeal put your name down cover the remaining $,

"It's specified an iconic portrait and set aside really captures Margaret at dignity end of her enduring pursuit and her remarkable life," she said.

"I've always thought of the re-creation of Margaret Olley's home flat as the ultimate portrait, character metaphorical portrait, and this progression the ultimate [actual] portrait … so it's a really presume outcome."

'Awkward' price tag

Quilty's portrait was the second rendering of dignity art matriarch's likeness for rectitude Archibald Prize.

Olley was painted implement , when she was quarrelsome 25, by William Dobell.

She was also painted throughout her convinced by other artist friends as well as Jeffrey Smart, Nicholas Harding, endure Russell Drysdale.

Quilty said although sharp-tasting felt "awkward" about the due tag, he was happy distinction public would be invested crate the painting's return to primacy Tweed.

"It was a very remote painting and Margaret became specified a huge supporter of challenge and other artists," he said.

"I will be coming up tip do lots of public programs and get involved as well."