“This Sporting Life” will be on exhibition at the Egg & Dart Gallery from late October, with the hope of enticing new people into the art world.

Gallery owner Aaron Fell-Fracasso said the show would be a great bridge to encourage people to “give contemporary art a chance”.

“A lot of people find art intimidating, whereas this exhibition is less threatening and it’s a good cultural topic,” he said.

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Fell-Fracasso joked Nowlan was also learning more “political correctness” by using more female subjects in his works.

Meantime, it was because of sport Nowlan began painting in the first place. After suffering an injury playing rugby league in 1964, he began painting in secret from his team mates.

The exhibition encompasses cycling to boxing, athletics to cricket and more – while some pieces respond to history.

Nowlan’s works are held in significant private collections as well as the University of Wollongong Collection and Wollongong Art Gallery.

Opening night is Friday October 26, 6pm.

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