Friends lay bouquets in memory of Margaret Olley

FLOWERS and friends were in abundance as hundreds gathered in Sydney to celebrate the life of artist Margaret Olley.

Margaret Olley Memorial service

FLOWERS and friends were in abundance yesterday as hundreds of people gathered at the Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney to celebrate the life of artist Margaret Olley.

It was a tribute to Olley that so many people at the state memorial service could speak of their personal connection with her.

Governor-General Quentin Bryce spoke of her last visit to Olley at her home a few days before she died on July 26, aged 88.

They examined a Picasso that was to be given to the National Gallery of Australia, and touched on the delicate subject of how Olley wanted to be remembered.

"As I put my hand over hers, I observed on her face a paler cheek, a transparency, I thought, a difference in her from the last time," Ms Bryce said.

Olley loved music, and the service included performances by didgeridoo player William Barton, pianist Alexey Yemtsov, the Australian Chamber Orchestra and accordion soloist James Crabb.The two Archibald Prize-winning portraits of Olley -- William Dobell's from 1948 and Ben Quilty's from this year -- kept watch on proceedings.

Among those present were NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell, Governor Marie Bashir and former prime minister John Howard. Guests included past and present gallery directors Betty Churcher, Edmund Capon, Ron Radford and Tony Ellwood; artists Ray Crooke, John Olsen and Nicholas Harding; fashion designers Peter Weiss and Carla Zampatti; composer Peter Sculthorpe; and Margaret Whitlam.

From Olley's close circle were her sister, Elaine Wilkinson; niece Sally Wilkinson; housemate Philippa Drynan; cleaner Poppy Panagopoulos; and friends Philip Bacon and Christine France. "She said to me not long ago that she wasn't ready to die, she had so much to do," Sally Wilkinson said.

Arts Minister Simon Crean and Olley's local member Malcolm Turnbull were prevented from attending by Tony Abbott's refusal to allow pairing with government MPs. The opposition was represented by arts spokesman George Brandis.

Ms Bryce thanked Olley for her generosity to art galleries and her capacity for friendship.

"But most of all, thank you for the marigolds, the iceland poppies, the flannel flowers."