Her work concentrated on still life. In 1997 a major retrospective of her work was organised by the Art Gallery of New South Wales. She received the inaugural Mosman Art Prize in 1947.

On 13 July 2006 she donated more works to the Art Gallery of New South Wales; her donations included more than 130 works worth $7 million. Olley died at her home in Paddington in July 2011, aged 88.

Margaret Olley was twice the subject of an Archibald Prize winning painting; the first by William Dobell in 1948 and the other by Ben Quilty in 2011. She was also the subject of paintings by many of her artist friends, including Russell Drysdale.

Olley held her first solo exhibition in 1948 and has held at least one exhibition annually. She is known for her colourful interiors and still life paintings. She is also widely known for being the subject of the famous William Dobell portrait which won the Archibald Prize in 1948.

Olley's close friend, the Australian entertainer Barry Humphries writes "A visit to Margaret Olley is certainly an unforgettable experience. Her house is a series of studios, filled burgeoning with furniture, textiles and objects that she incorporates into her ravishing nature mortes. In each room, and in various stages of completion, stands a painting, propped sometimes against a chair, or flung with seeming carelessness upon a sofa - there is no sign of so formal an accoutrement as an easel.

A simple table, covered with gourds and tangerines and upon which might also rest a Turkish pot, a jar of flannel flowers or a dish of desiccated raspberries, stands against a black and gilded Chinese screen. In the foreground, Miss Olley's painting of this subject is casually appended. It is not difficult to image that she was once (in 1959) the proprietrix of an antique store." Margaret Olley is a legend in the art world - both as an artist and a generous philanthropist. Her paintings are highly sought after by public and private collectors both in Australia and all around the world.

In 1991 Margaret Olley was awarded the Australian Office of the Order of Australia (AO) and in 2006 she was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the Queen's Birthday Honors List.

In 2007, Margaret Olley was appointed a Fellow of the National Art School. She is only the third Fellow to be appointed, joining Peter Rushforth and John Coburn.

Margaret Olley sadly passed away on 26th July 2011 in her home in Paddington, Sydney.

Reference: Margaret Olley, a Biography Christine France (1990); Margaret Olley Barry Pearce (1996); Margaret Olley Recent Paintings (1997).'Far From A Still Life' a biography by Meg Stewart (2005).

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Giclée print on archival 100% rag paper

What is a Giclee graphic Print?

In giclee printing, no screen or other mechanical devices are used and therefore there is no visible dot screen pattern. The image has all the tonalities and hues of the original painting.

Giclee (pronounced Gee’clay) is a French term meaning to spray or squirt.

Each Giclee Graphics is numbered and sign by the artist.

In giclee printing, the artist produces a large-format scan of the original artwork. Giclee prints retain the hues of the original painting, and the artist check color proofs before a print run, which can be as many or as few prints as the artist wishes. The inks used are light-fast and remain true for up to 25 years if they are kept out of the sun. Prints can be done on paper or canvas in whatever size the artist desires. A benefit of canvas prints is that they won't crease when rolled for mailing.

However, it is not the same as a standard desktop inkjet printer, and is much larger. Giclee prints are a little over a metre wide and are often affectionately referred to as a “knitting machine” as they look very similar.

Having prints available to buyers allows artists to reach a wider audience, at lower price points. Like when writing a song, the artist sells a recording, not the tune itself.