The People’s Artist
A John Ellison Retrospective
21 Feb – 15 March
John Ellison (1943 – 2025)
The People’s Artist is a community-led survey of artwork by popular Katoomba artist and cultural innovator John Ellison. Fondly known as ‘The Wizard of The Blue Mountains’, John Ellison spent a life in service to the community that he loved. In 1994 he founded the annual Blue Mountains Winter Magic Festival, which he enthusiastically presided over in full Wizard garb. As Cultural Development Coordinator at Blue Mountains City Council, John Ellison was fundamental in further developing the region’s artistic reputation, with the Blue Mountains subsequently receiving the title of NSW’s inaugural City of the Arts. As a visual artist, John Ellison is widely revered and collected across Australia.
Almost a year since his passing, The People’s Artist brings together John Ellison’s ink, gouache, acrylic and watercolour works-on-paper to celebrate a local life in colour. Streetscapes, built environments and cottage interiors share an energetic and striking interplay of colour, underpinned by masterful linework and distinct character which reflect on the people and places of the Blue Mountains. John Ellison viewed the local built environment and its architecture as living, breathing entities which echoed their human counterparts, long after departure. It was this humanity and enduring life force that he so fondly captured, often plein air, on the street corners of Katoomba and surrounds.
The People’s Artist is an exhibition which highlights the threads linking communities together and a celebration of the Blue Mountains in all its forms. By the people, for the people.
This exhibition was co-designed by John Ellison’s friends, family and collectors; Curated by Brooke Olsen, on behalf of Blue Mountains City Council and the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre.
Thank you to Lyn Harrison, Robyn Nolan and Paddy Cavanagh who have been instrumental in developing this exhibition.
IMAGE: JOHN ELLISON Early morning Katoomba
