The Sydney Opera House farewells one of Australia’s most admired artists, Dr John Olsen AO OBE. We proudly pay tribute to Olsen’s extraordinary six-decade career in Lighting of the Sails: Life Enlivened when his works will be animated and projected on the Opera House sails for Vivid Sydney from 26 May – 17 June 2023.

Olsen’s vibrant paintings of life and energy within the natural world distil the essence of his esteemed career, spanning over sixty years. The animated artwork Lighting of the Sails: Life Enlivened spotlights Olsen’s enduring interest and fascination with Australian nature and landscape. Through images selected by curator Dr. Deborah Hart and animated by creative technologists Curiious, Life Enlivened (2023) celebrates the propulsive power of Olsen’s painterly brush to envision the natural world anew.

Our thoughts are with Tim, Louise and their families.

“In your life you’ve got to have luck. To have this opportunity, I appreciate it very much. I can’t wait for overseas people and all Australians to see Vivid. God, I’m a lucky dog.”
- John Olsen

Vale John Olsen AO OBE
1928 – 2023

#VividSydney #VividLIVE

John Olsen footage courtesy of Destination NSW for Vivid Sydney 2023.

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Curiious Project Team

CEO
Michelle Schuberg

Director of Operations
Karen Arkell

Artistic Curator
Dr. Deborah Hart

Executive Creative Director
Fabio Nardo

Senior Producer
Jo Yates

Creative Director
Christian J Heinrich

Lead Artist
Christian J Heinrich

CG | Unreal Engine Artist
Brad Allen

Animator
Jelena Sinik

Animator
Jonathan Nix

Animator
Nicolette Axiak

Animator
Amy Bell

Chief Technology Office
Phil Sullivan

Touchdesigner Dev
Boris Bagattini

Soundtrack Composition
Edwin Montgomery

Soundtrack Composition
William Barton

Trumpet
Simon Ferenci

Drums
Glenn Wilson

with special thanks to

Tim Olsen
Kylie Norton