12. Russell Drysdale (1912-1981):

Russell Drysdale was one of Australia’s most significant and respected artists of the 20th century. Known for his distinctive style of painting that depicted the Australian outback and its people, he captured the harshness and isolation of rural life.

Drysdale’s works often featured iconic Australian landscapes, along with figures from the outback, portraying the resilience and solitude of the individuals living in remote regions. His paintings are characterised by a sense of surrealism and poetic intensity and his use of light and shadow created a unique atmosphere in his artworks, adding an emotional depth to his compositions.

Drysdale had a unique way of capturing the essence of Australia’s arid landscapes and his paintings have become an iconic representation of the Australian outback.

13. Arthur Boyd (1920-1999):

Arthur Boyd was one of Australia’s most prominent and influential artists. He came from a family of artists and was a member of the renowned Boyd artistic dynasty.

Boyd’s work spanned various mediums, including painting, drawing, ceramics, and printmaking. Known for his powerful and emotive artworks, he often depicted the human condition, landscapes, and historical events. His paintings often explored themes of social injustice, war, and the complexities of human relationships. He was deeply inspired by the Australian landscape, particularly the landscapes of Victoria and the Shoalhaven region in New South Wales, where he lived for many years.

Boyd’s artistic contributions were widely recognised during his lifetime. He received numerous awards, including the prestigious Wynne Prize, Australia’s oldest art prize for landscape painting, several times throughout his career. In 1995, he was named Australian of the Year for his outstanding achievements in fine art.

14. Emily Kame Kngwarreye (1910-1996):

Emily Kame Kngwarreye from the Utopia community in the Northern Territory is considered one of the most prominent and influential figures in contemporary Aboriginal art. Though she began her artistic career relatively late in life, in her 70s, she quickly gained recognition for her unique and vibrant style, bold and expressive use of colour and ability to capture the essence of her cultural and spiritual beliefs in her paintings.

Kngwarreye’s art is deeply rooted in her Anmatyerre heritage, and her works often depict the Dreaming stories and the natural elements of her homeland, such as the desert landscape, plants, and animals.

During her short but prolific artistic career, Kngwarreye created a vast body of work, including paintings, drawings, and batiks. Her paintings feature intricate patterns, often depicting the interconnectedness of all living things in the natural world. Kngwarreye’s art has gained international acclaim and her paintings are highly sought after by collectors around the world.

15. John Henry Olsen (1928-Present):

Considered an Australian National treasure, John Henry Olsen grew up around the beauty of Bondi Beach and trained at a number of reputable Sydney art Schools including the Julian Ashton Art School. He returned to Australia in the 1960’s after several years travelling and studying around Europe which exposed him to Modern Art.

An abstract artist, Olsen depicted vivid, dynamic paintings of the Australian landscape in his unique style over a renowned seven-decade career. Olsen’s work often featured lush, abstract depictions of the natural world, capturing the essence of the Australian landscape, including its flora, fauna, and waterways.

One of Olsen’s most famous works is a mural-sized painting titled “Sydney Sun” (1965), which depicts the Sydney Harbour and its surroundings in a highly energetic and expressive manner. This painting is considered a landmark piece in Australian art history. Mosman Art Gallery in Sydney has showcased his artworks in various exhibitions over the years, celebrating his significant contributions to Australian art.