Hidden Treasures with Betty Churcher

In this series of micro-docs, former National Gallery director Betty Churcher presents an insider’s guide to some of the “hidden treasures” that are rarely on public display.

From her unique vantage point, she makes intriguing connections between a range of artworks and artists. These are fascinating tales – about the works themselves, the people who created them and the challenge of preserving them – and a tantalising look at some of the ideas and influences that have shaped modern art across the globe.

2006, Total running time 75 Minutes. 15 x 5 Minutes

Teachers' Notes - Download here

A Film Australia National Interest Program in association with Early Works. Produced with the assistance of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
© 2011 National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.

This story has been published as part of the National Gallery's 40th Anniversary. For more visit 40 Years.

Hidden Treasures: Inside the National Gallery of Australia

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Exhibition

Mud Men
Ramesh Nithiyendran

Past Exhibition
A ceramic sculpture of a vaguely humanoid figure atop a cement platform

3 Jun 2016 – 26 Feb 2017

Mud men is a new installation by Sydney-based artist Ramesh Nithiyendran featuring five large-scale ceramic sculptures.

Exhibition

William Robinson
A Retrospective

Past Exhibition
Painting of landscape of trees reflecting in a body of water

14 Dec 2001 – 10 Mar 2002

This exhibition was one of the first retrospective exhibition of work by William Robinson, one of Australia's senior contemporary landscape artists.

Exhibition

Seeing Red
The Art and Science of Infra-red Analysis

Past Exhibition
Model layout of exhibitions with hands adjusting the location of works of art

17 Nov 2001 – 10 Feb 2002

This exhibition focused on infra-red reflectography and allowed children to see the many layers of artworks that are uncovered with infra-red light.

Exhibition

Silently Stirring

Past Exhibition
Two squirrels on a branch, one on all fours and another in an upright position with paws held up to mouth

21 Mar 2009 – 8 Jun 2009

Silently stirring explores the themes of movement, change and transformation through prints, drawings, photography and sculpture of animals.

Exhibition

Diane Arbus
American Portraits

Past Exhibition
A black and white photo of harried Christmas shoppers looking down at the photographer

3 Jun 2016 – 30 Oct 2016

The photographs of Diane Arbus (1923–1971) are powerful allegories of postwar America.

Exhibition

Transparent Things
Expressions in Glass

Past Exhibition
A large green quenelle shaped glass sculpture with horizontal grooves

7 Dec 2001 – 10 Nov 2002

This exhibition focused on artworks that responded to the transparency of glass and how the unique medium has inspired artists over the centuries.

Exhibition

In the Spotlight
Anton Bruehl photographs 1920s–1950s

Past Exhibition
Picture of a young redheaded offering a bouquet of red roses to an unknown figure whose elderly hands are shown in the frame.

23 Oct 2010 – 6 Feb 2011

Australian-born photographer Anton Bruehl's work ranges across advertising, images of stars of stage, screen and socialites in places such as Vogue.

Exhibition

The Birth of the Modern Poster

Past Exhibition
Print of a green goblin holding a bottle of alcohol upon a black background. Yellow text underneath reads Maurin Quina

10 Feb – 13 May 2007

The Birth of the Modern Poster examined poster art and its evolution from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.