Bill Ogilvie Sold at Auction Prices

b. 1935 -

Born in 1935 in Melbourne, Bill Ogilvie taught art, metalwork, sculpture and pottery before concentrating on his own sculpture full-time in 1975. In 1977 he was granted the ‘Sculptor of the Year Award’ from the Association of Sculptors of Victoria.

Bill Ogilvie works predominantly as a figurative or semi-abstract sculptor and is especially known for his sculptures of the dancer. Like the work of Rodin, Ogilvie’s dancers express a natural balance, poise, and sense of life. The works are strikingly beautiful and dancers and enthusiast alike are continually amazed by the accuracy of movement conveyed in his full-size dancers and smaller maquettes.

Muses for the artist have included principals of the Australian Ballet including Marilyn Rowe, Gary Norman and Gailene Stock. Ogilvie acknowledges the kind assistance in his early years as a sculptor of the Australian Ballet and Michael Edgley who allowed him to be view and photograph ballet movement behind the scenes, in classes, and in dress rehearsals.

My first priority in the creation of a sculpture is to attempt to breathe life, movement and vitality into the bronze. I have always been interested in ballet and gymnastics as a pure form of movement in the human body, and even in other poses I aspire for the essential life form to come through.
- Bill Ogilvie

Bill Ogilvie has exhibited consistently since 1975, Australia-wide, and his work can be found in significant public and private collections in Australia and overseas. He has received important awards for both art and design, and has completed numerous public commissions.