Art Gallery of New South Wales: Exquisite exhibits
A must visit for the art enthusiast, the Art Gallery of NSW is Sydney’s leading fine art museum and one of Australia’s foremost cultural institutions. Opposite the Royal Botanic Gardens, the gallery is a short walk from the centre of the city in the grounds of The Domain. Admission to the gallery is free, although certain seasonal exhibitions require an entry fee.
The gallery is home to a superb collection of classical and contemporary works, Australian colonial era paintings and both ancient and modern art from Asia and the Pacific Islands. The fascinating Yiribana Gallery celebrates the artistic traditions of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, while the splendid Grand Courts house a fine collection of sculptures and paintings by the old masters of Europe. Of particular interest are fine works by renowned Australian artists such as Arthur Streeton, Sidney Nolan, Brett Whiteley, Fred Williams, Norman Lindsay and Margaret Preston.
Alongside its expansive permanent collection, the Art Gallery hosts over 30 temporary exhibitions each year, including the nominees of the Archibald Prize, Australia’s most prestigious annual art awards.
With some 30,000 pieces contained in the gallery over five levels, it’s impossible to discover everything the museum has to offer in a single session. A good way to get your bearings and gain a greater understanding of some of the artworks on display is to take one of the free guided tours, which are run at set times daily.
You can also hire an audio guide from the reception area if you’d prefer to wander at your own pace on a self-guided tour. Plan to spend around half a day here, and rest up in between galleries at the restaurant or café – both feature tempting modern Australian menus and stunning views over Woolloomooloo Bay.
Posted by Fiona Davies
