Australian Art

The Gallery is currently undergoing critical building upgrades. During this time, some galleries within this exhibition are closed. To see what is currently open please visit the Gallery Changes page.

This major display tells wide-ranging and complex stories of Australian art. From the outset it recognises the fundamental importance of First Nations artists and knowledges to Australian cultural life, acknowledging that the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art in this land reach back millennia.

The selection of works of art through the galleries sets up conversations across time, place and cultural perspectives. Through multiple forms of expression and media, artists invite us to reflect on personal and shared experiences, often informed by regional, urban or suburban locations as well as by the precious natural resources of this country.

The displays engage with the fluid interactions and sources of inspiration that artists have experienced within this country as well as beyond our geographical boundaries, with many Australian artists travelling and working internationally. Across time and place the works on view convey that women artists are key to the stories of Australian art.

Over time, the works in these galleries will be rotated to ensure that visitors can continue to engage with the depth and richness of the national collection in new and surprising ways.