IN BED WITH… Tim Olsen

What are you reading?

I have just finished writing a memoir Son of the Brush, that Allen and Unwin will be publishing in November. To understand more deeply the paradox, disposition and privilege of growing up under the shadow of a large creative force, I’ve been reading a lot of other biographies and memoirs of artist’s children.

I’m currently reading Experience by Martin Amis (son of Kingsley). I also just read Night Studio, a memoir on Philip Guston by his daughter Musa Mayer. I have also read My Father by Jean Renoir and Pierre Matisse’s biography. Pierre’s novel was great because, as like me, he left another foreign shore (Paris) to open a gallery in New York. We both had slow starts, despite him having the greater advantage of exhibiting his father Henri and the likes of Giacometti and Picasso. Not a bad line up to initiate a business.

What are you watching?

Being a Game of Thrones addict, I stumbled on a highly underrated series called Outlander on Netflix. Like Thrones, it takes you on an incredible journey of history and time travel. Always still love Great train journeys, Gardening Australia and Landline. I really miss watching the Rugby!

What are you listening to?

I’m listening to talks by Caroline Myss. She is the author of Energy Anatomy: The Science of Personal Power, Spirituality, and Health and has some amazing understandings of the COVID-19 crisis. I’ve also been listening to Russell Brand on Luminary. He interviews some amazing people at the top of their game from all walks of life. For music, Elgar’s Cello concerto is so uplifting.

What else are you doing?

Apart from keeping the exhibitions going in the gallery, I’ve been implementing new ways to immerse people into the gallery. We have had great success with our virtual tours. Apart from that, every day I’m doing a two-hour workout. Walking 5kms around Centennial Park, getting on my rowing machine and indoor cycling. I’m also meditating twice a day. I recently did a challenging 2km ocean swim down at Bondi (it wasn’t too cold!). I think I’m more mentally and physically fit than I’ve been in years – a silver lining of this time is that it has forced me to be more centred.

Image: Tim Olsen in bed with Art Collector in Sydney.