Join Dr Robert Bell, Senior Curator, Decorative Arts and Design, for a talk on the new Jewellery and Fashion galleries, followed by a glass of sparkling wine. BOOKED OUT

• Venue: Jewellery gallery and Members Lounge
• Bookings essential
• Free for members, $10 non-members
• Email enquiry or Phone (02) 6240 6528

Beatrice Thompson, Assistant Curator, Asian Art, discusses the recent bequest of an exquisite late-18th- to early-19th-century silk embroidered coverlet from Qing-dynasty China. This program is presented in association with the Canberra Craft and Quilt Fair, 5–8 August 2010.

• Venue: East Asian gallery
• FREE

Claudia Hyles, independent researcher, looks at the god Shri Nathji (a form of Lord Krishna) and his devotees and discusses the newly acquired Shri Nathji donor portrait photographs in the new photography display.

• Venue: Photography gallery
• FREE

Robyn Maxwell, exhibition curator, presents an introductory talk, followed by a viewing and cocktail reception. Dress in black.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre and Exhibition Galleries
• Bookings essential
• $50 members and their guests
• Email enquiry or Phone (02) 6240 6528

An afternoon of talks by international scholars, directors and curators on the famous collections from which key works of ancestral art have been selected for Life, death and magic. Further details on the forum will be available closer to the date at nga.gov.au/whatson/highlights.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• Bookings essential
• $35, $30 members/concession (includes exhibition entry and afternoon tea)
• Email enquiry or Phone (02) 6240 6528

Robyn Maxwell, Senior Curator, Asian Art, exhibition curator, presents an overview of Life, death and magic.

• Venue: Exhibition Galleries

Explore the old and the new with a talk and tour of the recent extension of the Diamant Hotel with Craig Tan from Fender Katsalidis. Followed by wine and nibbles at the Parlour Wine Room.

• Venue: meet in Diamant Hotel foyer
• Bookings essential
• $20 members, $30 guests
• Email enquiry or Phone (02) 6240 6528

Pushpamala N, contemporary Indian artist, introduces her film Paris autumn, a fast-paced photographic noir thriller of the artist’s time in Paris in 2005. Facing Asia conference

• Venue: Small Theatre
• FREE

Niki van den Heuvel, Exhibition Assistant, introduces recent Gallery acquisitions of Southeast Asian animist sculptures and ancient bronzes exhibited for the first time in Life, death and magic.

• Venue: Exhibition Galleries

Learn about works of art on display. Enjoy refreshments in the Members Lounge before joining voluntary guides for a discussion on selected works of art.

• Venue: Members Lounge and galleries
• Bookings essential
• $8, $7 members/concession
• Email enquiry or Phone (02) 6240 6528

Gwen Horsfield, Curatorial Assistant, International Prints, Drawings and Illustrated Books, discusses the evolution of form and technique in the prints of American abstract artist Frank Stella.

• Venue: Collection Study Room
• Bookings essential
• Free
• Email enquiry or Phone no bookings required but limited spaces available