King Sun: John Olsen - A Portrait at 85, The (ATOM Study Guide)

At eighty-five, John Olsen – widely regarded as Australia's greatest living artist – embarks on the second-largest mural of his career and shares his inspirational philosophy on life.

In March 2013, John Olsen was commissioned by property developer Lang Walker to paint an 8×6 metre mural to be displayed in the public foyer of the new Collins Square development in Melbourne in the Docklands precinct. John was eighty-five years old when he was commissioned to paint this mural, which was to be named 'The King Sun'.

John lives near Bowral in the Southern Highlands, two hours south of Sydney. He decided to paint the mural in a studio on the property of Anna Hewgill and Tony Williams, in Robertson.

The mural is comprised of eight panels made of marine ply, joined together to create one very large painting, the total weight being 688 kilograms. John walked on the mural in socks and painted with brushes attached to long sticks. He was assisted by art consultant and friend Ken McGregor, and artist Carlos Barrios. The mural took four months to complete. The King Sun: John Olsen – A Portrait at 85 captures Olsen's creative process as we see him working on this enormous work and musing on the ageing process and his need to keep working.

Curriculum Links:

This program would be a valuable resource for middle and senior secondary students of:

• The Arts (including Studio Arts, Creative Arts and Art History)
• Australian Studies
• Cultural Studies
• Humanities