Nicholas Harding Margaret Olley 1998

Margaret Olley has launched a thousand portraits, indeed she is probably the most painted face in the history of Australian art. William Dobell’s 1949 Archibald Prize-winning painting of her remains one of the most popular portraits in the Art Gallery of NSW’s collection. Since then numerous leading Australian artists have committed her to canvas.

Nicholas Harding had been chasing Olley for a couple of years before she found time in her hectic schedule to sit for him. ‘There seemed such a wealth of artistic possibilities about her,’ says Harding. ‘She is such a successful painter herself, always an attractive thing for another painter; her appearance; the way she has lived her life and her generosity. She is such a fabulous philanthropist and has been very supportive of working artists, including me. She understands the difficulties of being a painter so her encouragement has meant a lot.’

Harding had met Olley on many occasions, ‘always brief but positive experiences,’ he says. ‘She’s got attitude and opinions and is not afraid to express them.’

He admits there were times when the portrait was not working. ‘In fact, even when it went off to the framers there was something about it that was bugging me, so it was finished at the framers immediately before the Perspex went on.’

Born in London in 1956, Harding arrived in Australia in 1965. He completed a Bachelor of Arts in 1975, travelled through Europe then returned to Australia to a freelance career as an animator, illustrator and painter. This is the fifth time he has been hung in the Archibald Prize.

His portrait of Olley, which was highly commended in the 1998 Archibald, is now in the collection of Tweed Regional Gallery, NSW.