Art Gallery sights in Pacific
-
A
Ian Potter Centre: National Gallery of Victoria Australia
This houses the NGV's extensive collection of Australian paintings, decorative arts, photography, prints, drawings, sculpture, fashion, textiles and jewellery.
The gallery's Indigenous collection dominates the ground floor and seeks to challenge ideas of the 'authentic'. Upstairs there are permanent displays of colonial paintings and drawings by 19th-century Aboriginal artists. There's also the work of Heidelberg School impressionists and an extensive collection of the work of the modernist 'Angry Penguins', including Sir Sidney Nolan, Arthur Boyd, Joy Hester and Albert Tucker.
reviewed
-
B
National Gallery of Victoria International
Beyond the water wall you'll find international art that runs from the ancient to the contemporary. Completed in 1967, the original NGV building – Roy Grounds' 'cranky icon' – was one of Australia's most controversial but ultimately respected Modernist masterpieces. Interior remodelling was undertaken from 1996 to 2003, overseen by Mario Bellini. Don't miss a gaze up at the Great Hall's stained-glass ceiling.
reviewed
-
Nyinkka Nyunyu
This innovative museum and gallery highlights the dynamic art and culture of the local Warumungu people. The absorbing displays focus on contemporary art, traditional objects (many returned from interstate museums), bush medicine and regional history. The diorama series, or bush TVs as they became known within the community, are particularly special. Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site of the spiky tailed goanna. Learn about bush tucker and Dreaming stories with your personal guide. There's also a gallery store and the lovely Jajjikari Café, which serves espresso coffee and light meals.
reviewed
-
National Portrait Gallery
This gallery tells the story of Australia through its faces – from colonial portraits of the nation's founding families to Bill Henson's photographs of Australian conductor Simone Young and shots of celebrities such as Cate Blanchett and AC/DC's Angus Young. The several hundred works on show also tell the story of the evolution of portraiture, from wax cameos of Aboriginal tribespeople to a Day-Glo Nick Cave. The collection used to be housed at Old Parliament House, and this beautiful new purpose-built gallery is a treat in itself – it's made from wood and stone from every state and territory and its gardens are planted with varieties from all over the country.
reviewed
-
C
Art Gallery of South Australia
Spend a few hushed hours in the vaulted, parquetry-floored gallery that represents the big names in Australian art. Permanent exhibitions include Australian, modern Australian, contemporary Aboriginal, Asian, Islamic and European art (with 20 bronze Rodins!). Temporary exhibitions occupy the basement. Free audio tours of the Australian collection are insightful, as are the free guided tours (11am and 2pm daily).
reviewed
-
D
Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute
Tandanya offers an insight into the culture of the local Kaurna people, whose territory extends south to Cape Jervis and north to Port Wakefield. Inside the cultural institute there are interactive displays on living with the land, as well as galleries, gifts and a cafe. There are didgeridoo or Torres Strait Islander cultural performances, free tours, plus Indigenous short-film and documentary screenings in the theatre.
reviewed
-
E
Pro Hart Gallery
Pro Hart, who died early in 2006, was a former miner and is Broken Hill's best-known artist. Aside from housing his work, the gallery holds a superb collection of Australian art (such as Brett Whiteley's Nude, Norman Lindsay's Selena and Albert Tucker's Australian Girl in Paris) and several works by international artists such as Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí.
reviewed
-
F
Centre for Contemporary Photography
This not-for-profit centre has a changing schedule of exhibitions across a couple of galleries. Shows traverse traditional techniques and the highly conceptual.
reviewed
-
G
Geelong Art Gallery
This gallery houses over 4000 works in one of the city's most impressive buildings. Its Australian collection is strong and includes Frederick McCubbin's 1890 A Bush Burial.
reviewed
-
H
Silver City Mint & Art Centre
This is home to a chocolate factory and the Big Picture (admission $5), the largest continuous canvas in Australia, an amazing 100m-by-12m diorama of the Broken Hill outback.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
I
Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery
This must-see gallery is housed in the beautifully restored Sully's Emporium. It is the oldest regional gallery in NSW and holds 1500 works in its permanent collection. Tours on request.
reviewed
-
J
Newcastle Region Art Gallery
This excellent regional gallery has a permanent collection of works by revered Australian artists (Drysdale, Nolan, Whiteley) and hosts exciting temporary exhibitions.
reviewed
-
K
Devonport Regional Gallery
This excellent gallery houses predominantly 20th-century Tasmanian paintings, contemporary art by local and mainland artists, plus ceramics and glasswork.
reviewed
-
L
Warrnambool Art Gallery
Head here to see the permanent Australian collection which includes such notable painters as Tom Roberts, James Gleeson and Arthur Boyd.
reviewed
-
M
Geraldton Regional Art Gallery
This gallery has an excellent permanent collection, including paintings by Norman Lindsay and Elizabeth Durack, provocative contemporary work and engaging temporary exhibitions.
reviewed
-
N
Territory Colours
Contemporary paintings and crafts, including glass, porcelain and wood from local artists; features the work of contemporary Indigenous artist Harold Thomas.
reviewed
-
O
Orange Regional Gallery
Next to the visitor centre, the gallery has an ambitious, varied program of exhibitions and some Australian masters.
reviewed
-
P
Aboriginal Fine Arts Gallery
Displays and sells art from Arnhem Land and the Central Desert region.
reviewed
-
Q
Bathurst Regional Art Gallery
The gallery has a dynamic collection of work, featuring local artists as well as exciting touring exhibitions.
reviewed
-
R
Wagga Wagga Art Gallery
This excellent gallery is also home to the wonderful National Art Glass Gallery.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
S
Maningrida Arts & Culture
Features fibre sculptures, weavings and paintings from the Kunibidji community at Maningrida on the banks of the Liverpool River, Arnhem Land. Fully Aboriginal-owned.
reviewed
-
T
Griffith Regional Art Gallery
Though small, this art-deco art hub has a lovely sense of space and excellent changing exhibitions.
reviewed
-
U
Tweed River Regional Art Gallery
This exceptional gallery is an architectural delight, home to some of Australia's finest in a variety of media.
reviewed
-
V
Institute of Modern Art
In the Judith Wright Centre, this noncommercial gallery with an industrial exhibition space has regular showings by local names.
reviewed
-
W
Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
A contemporary art gallery in a stately 1885 former bank. Exhibitions focus on north Queensland artists.
reviewed
