Jeffrey Smart
11 Dec 2021 – 15 May 2022
Jeffrey Smart Service station, Calabria 1977 Tuscany, Italy oil on canvas 80.9 x 116.3 cm Bendigo Art Gallery, Bendigo Purchased by Bendigo Art Gallery 1979 © The Estate of Jeffrey Smart
'Suddenly I will see something that seizes me – a shape, a combination of shapes, a play of light or shadows, and I send up a prayer because I know I have seen a picture.'
About
Jeffrey Smart, Labyrinth, 2011, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, purchased with the assistance of the Margaret Olley Art Trust and Mr Philip Bacon AM in honour of Dr Ron Radford AM, Director of the National Gallery of Australia 2004–14, 2014 100 Works for 100 Years, © The Estate of Jeffrey Smart.
The year 2021 marks one hundred years since the birth of acclaimed Australian artist Jeffrey Smart. This major exhibition celebrates and commemorates this significant centenary.
One of Australia’s most celebrated artists, Smart sought inspiration from the world around him – looking to the environment of urban and industrial modernity – which he transformed through his imaginative sense of theatre and intimate understanding of geometry and composition. These potent and intriguing images have become emblematic of 20th and 21st century urban experience.
Building on the foundational work already undertaken on Smart, this exhibition will bring fresh perspectives to his artistic contribution so that his remarkable legacy will be kept alive in the present.
Curators: Dr Deborah Hart, Henry Dalrymple Head of Australian Art and Dr Rebecca Edwards, Sid & Fiona Myer Curator of Ceramics and Design
Enhance your exhibition experience with A Tuscan Lunch in the Gallery's Dining Room, available Fri, Sat & Sun until 30 Jan.
Tickets
Jeffrey Smart, Morning at Savona, 1976, University Art Collection, Chau Chak Wing Museum, The University of Sydney, Donated by The Hon RP Meagher through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program 2011 © The Estate of Jeffrey Smart
As a Member, receive a complimentary ticket to Jeffrey Smart *
* for first time members only, one ticket per membership.
Already a National Gallery Member? Click the button below to log in to your online account and book your discounted tickets.
National Gallery Members can see Jeffrey Smart as many times as they want for under $40 with a Member Season Ticket.
| Adult | $17 |
| Concession/Student | $15 |
| National Gallery Member | $13 |
| Children (5–16 years) | $5 |
| Families (2 adults and up to 3 children) | $44 |
| Companion | $0 |
| National Gallery Member Season Ticket | $39 |
Ticket concession and entitlement information.
Reciprocal Members are able to purchase discounted tickets on-site when they present a valid membership card.
The sale of exhibition tickets is subject to the National Gallery’s Conditions of Entry, including ACT Government's indoor mask mandate, and the Gallery's Paid Exhibition and Event Terms & Conditions.
Jeffrey Smart, The plastic tube, 1980, private collection, courtesy Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert, © The Estate of Jeffrey Smart.
Jeffrey Smart Jacob descending 1979 Tuscany, Italy synthetic polymer paint on canvas 94 x 55.6 cm TarraWarra Museum of Art, Healesville Gift of Eva Besen AO and Marc Besen AO Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program 2008 © The Estate of Jeffrey Smart
Jeffrey Smart The golf links 1971 Rome, Italy oil on canvas 88.5 x 78.7 cm University Art Collection, Chau Chak Wing Museum, The University of Sydney Donated through the Alan Richard Renshaw Bequest 1976 © The Estate of Jeffrey Smart
Jeffrey Smart Service station, Calabria 1977 Tuscany, Italy oil on canvas 80.9 x 116.3 cm Bendigo Art Gallery, Bendigo Purchased by Bendigo Art Gallery 1979 © The Estate of Jeffrey Smart
Jeffrey Smart, Labyrinth, 2011, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, purchased with the assistance of the Margaret Olley Art Trust and Mr Philip Bacon AM in honour of Dr Ron Radford AM, Director of the National Gallery of Australia 2004-14, 2014 100 Works for 100 Years, © The Estate of Jeffrey Smart.
Audio Tour
Installation view of Jeffry Smart, Study for ‘Traffic reflector’ 1974, University Art Collection, Chau Chak Wing Museum, The University of Sydney Transferred from the Sydney College of Advanced Education 1990 and Jeffry Smart, Near Knossos 1973, University of South Australia Art Collection, Adelaide, Purchased 1976 in Jeffry Smart, 2021–22
Experience highlights of Jeffrey Smart accompanied by specially commissioned abstract musical works made in partnership with Liquid Architecture. The ambiguity of Jeffrey Smart’s artworks and his determination to offer little explanation resonate with the abstract and experimental music pieces in the audio tour. Develop your own interpretations as the music unlocks new ways of seeing and experiencing the works on display.
The free audio tour also features narrated versions of the extended text labels.
Bring your own headphones and access the audio tour by connecting to the .PUBLIC@nga WiFi and visiting tours.nga.gov.au/jeffrey-smart/ or scanning the QR code at the exhibition entry.
Education Resources
Learn about the art and life of Jeffrey Smart at the Gallery or in the classroom with a range of enticing and informative resources and programs.
Learning resource and audio tour are now available, including selections for primary and secondary students with background information and look, think and create prompts. Use these before, during or after a visit.
Events and Packages
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