Sakura, 2006
copper
48 × 48 × 20cm

Bronwyn Oliver was born in Gum Flat, NSW in 1959. She was raised on a farm and was an extremely successful student at school. Her decision to go into the creative fields had estranged her from her family ever since. A twist of fate created a very highly regarded sculptor. Her enrolment into sculpture class was an error made by the Alexander Mackie College of Advanced Education in Sydney in 1977. Bronwyn went to the class anyway and knew instantly it was right for her. In the early 80’s she went to London under a scholarship and returned to Sydney in 1986. Her first solo exhibition was at the Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery in that same year. She took her own life on July 11, 2006. This exhibition was already planned but now its presence is a memorial which celebrates her unique skill and artistic vision.

Boa, 2006
copper
225 × 30 × 18cm

Oliver’s craftsmanship is remarkable because the hours of tedious and precise work needed to create these works is not conveyed in the pieces themselves. They do not appear tight or overworked. They are both complex yet simple, elaborate yet straight forward. All her sculptures are inspired by nature and feature botanical spheres, tubes and spirals.

The work she produces speaks for itself. Their 3 dimensional presences are so demanding that even the shadows they produce are outstanding.

I spent ages playing with the shadow of this piece on my hand, rediscovering the sophisticated lace work produced, not by nature, but by copper wire and welder. Her work is a paradox, such amazing visions from nature, yet they are totally man made.
Her work is very exciting and has always succeeded in its task. It is very disappointing that we will never again see new work from this artist, as there is much room in this world for the elegant sculptures she creates.

Bibliography

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19780165-16947,00.html
http://www.roslynoxley9.com.au/artists/30/Bronwyn_Oliver/459/38889/