Justin O’Brien
“Interior of Margaret Olley’s house with Mother and Children”

Medium
Oil on Canvas

Dimensions
58.5 x 42cmm

Description
Justin O’Brien (1917 – 1996) was a painter notable for his characteristically bright palate and use of religious imagery and symbolism. Influenced by early Italian Renaissance artists such as Duccio, Justin O’Brien’s work is unique in Australian art for its integration of religious imagery and symbolism in contemporary arts practice. O’Brien studied at the East Sydney Technical College (1930-36), and served with the Australian Medical Corp during the Second World War in Palestine and Greece. O’Brien was an influential teacher as art master at Cranbrook School in Sydney (1946-67) and was awarded the Blake Prize for Religious Art in 1951. His work is held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney and the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.