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40 Acquisitions for 40 Years

With an upcoming birthday this October, we share 40 acquisitions to celebrate 40 years of building a national collection.


8 August 2022
Read time 25 minutes

Four decades since the doors opened to the world, acquiring for the permanent collection and the people of Australia remains top priority for the National Gallery. The Gallery kicks off our 40th Anniversary celebrations by sharing 40 acquisitions.

From local custodians Dr Matilda and Paul Girrawah House’s traditional tree scarring throughout the Sculpture Garden to a suite of 126 photographs by renowned American photographer Nan Goldin – the Gallery shares works by 40 artists and collectives from here and across the globe.


ALFREDO AQUILIZAN & ISABEL AQUILIZAN
Wings Baanan Series #8, 2021

Isabel Aquilizan and Alfredo Aquilizan, Wings Baanan Series #8 [wing] (installation view), 2021, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022, image courtesy Simon Hewson © Courtesy of the Artists and Yavuz Gallery

MICHAEL ARMITAGE
Enasoit 2019

Michael Armitage, Enasoit, 2019, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022 © Michael Armitage, Courtesy of the Artist

MATTHEW BARNEY
Basin Creek burn, 2018

Matthew Barney, Basin Creek Burn (installation view), 2018, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased in 2021 in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022 © Matthew Barney, courtesy Sadie Coles HQ, London Matthew Barney. Courtesy of the artist; Sadie Coles HQ, London; and Gladstone Gallery, New York

JAMES BARTH
Adumbral placeholder, 2021

James Barth, Adumbral placeholder (detail), 2021, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022 © James Barth 

DEL KATHRYN BARTON
my heart is blazing 11 hours 2021

Del Kathryn Barton, my heart is blazing 11 hours (detail), 2021, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022 © Del Kathryn Barton

RICHARD BELL
Kamilaroi/Kooma/ Jiman/Gurang Gurang peoples
From little things big things grow, 2019-20

Richard Bell, Kamilaroi/Kooma/Jiman/Gurang Gurang peoples, From little things big things grow (detail), 2019-20, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022 © Richard Bell

DORRIT BLACK
Backs of houses, Veere, c. 1929

Dorrit Black, Backs of houses, Veere, c.1929, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022

CRESSIDA CAMPBELL
Bedroom nocturne, 2022

Cressida Campbell, Bedroom nocturne, 2022, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra purchased with the assistance of the Gordon Darling Australia Pacific Print Fund in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia’s 40th anniversary, 2022 © Cressida Campbell

KUNMANARA CARROLL
Ilpili, Walungurru, Kiwirrkura, and Yumari, 2021

Photograph of three vases in a studio space

Kunmanara Carroll, Luritja and Pintupi peoples, Yumari, Walungurru, and Walungurru, 2021, commissioned by the National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra for the 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony with the support of Suzanne Maple-Brown and Anthony Maple-Brown, purchased 2021, image courtesy the Estate of Kunmanara Carroll and Ernabella Arts © the Estate of Kunmanara Carroll

MARY CASSATT
The fitting, 1890-91

Mary Cassatt, The fitting (detail), 1890-91, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased with the assistance of the Poynton Bequest 2021 in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary held in 2022

RUSSELL DRYSDALE
Studio still life, c. 1937

Russell Drysdale, Studio still life (detail), c. 1937, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022 © Estate of Russell Drysdale

TRACEY EMIN
When I sleep, 2018

Tracey Emin, When I sleep, 2018, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased in 2021 in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022 © Tracey Emin/Copyright Agency, 2022

IAN FAIRWEATHER
Market scene, Peking, 1935

Ian Fairweather, Market scene, Peking (detail), 1935, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, gift of Trevor Bail in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary 2022, donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program © Ian Fairweather. DACS/Copyright Agency, 2022

HELEN GANALMIRRIWUY GARRAWURRA
Gurrumaṯtji, 2021

Helen Ganalmirriwuy Garrawurra, Gurrumaṯtji, 2021, installation view, 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony

TEELAH GEORGE
Sky piece, falling (Melbourne, Perth), 2020-21

Teelah George, Sky piece, falling (Melbourne, Perth) (installation view), 2020-2021, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022, image supplied by ofcourtesy Neon Parc © Teelah George

NAN GOLDIN
The ballard of sexual dependency series, 1973-1986

Nan Goldin, Mark tattooing Mark, Boston, 1978, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022 © Nan Goldin

DR MATILDA HOUSE & PAUL GIRRAWAH HOUSE
Mulanggari yur-wang (alive and strong), 2020

A gum tree has an oval section of bark removed and a delicate design has been carved into it in lines

Dr Matilda House and Paul Girrawah House, Ngambri (Walgalu) – Wallaballooa (Ngunnawal) – Pajong (Gundungurra) – Wiradjuri (Erambie) peoples, Mulanggari yur-wang (alive and strong), 2021–22, commissioned by the National Gallery of Australia, Ngambri/Kamberri/Canberra for the 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony, purchased 2021, image courtesy and © the artists

NATALYA HUGHES
Woman 6 (Harmony), 2019

Natalya Hughes, Woman 6 (Harmony), 2019, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022. © Natalya Hughes

JUZ KITSON
Charred urn, a lament for the wildfires, 2021

Juz Kitson, Charred urn, a lament for the wildfires no 2, 2021, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, gift of the artist 2022, donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program © Juz Kiston

EMILY KAME KNGWARREYE
Untitled (awalye), 1994

Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Untitled (awelye), 1994, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2022 in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, with the assistance of the Foundation Gala Dinner Fund 2021 © Emily Kame Kngwarreye/Copyright Agency, 2022

Rosemary Laing,
Where to from here #2, 2019

Rosemary Laing, Where to from here #2 from the series skyground, 2019, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, gift of the artist in memory of Bernard Laing 2021 in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary held in 2022, donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program © Rosemary Laing

GRACE LILLIAN LEE
Future woven floral forms (natural and red), 2020

Grace Lillian Lee, Meriam Mir people, Future Woven Floral Forms (detail), 2020, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022 © Grace Lillian Lee

LINDY LEE
Ouroboros, 2024

A digital rendering if a large outdoor sculpture at night time. Light from inside the sculpture are glowing like stars

Lindy Lee, Ouroboros, 2024, (artist's interpretation), courtesy the artist, UAP and Sullivan+Strumpf, © Lindy Lee

DR CAROL MCGREGOR
Wreath for Oodgeroo, 2020

Dr Carol McGregor, Wadawurrung people, Wreath for Oodgeroo, 2020, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022 © Carol McGregor

DHAMBIT MUNUNGGURR
Djulpan, 2020

Dhambit Mununggurr, Gumatj people, Djulpan (detail), 2020, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022, image courtesy ofand © the artist and Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney.

VINCENT NAMATJIRA 0AM
Vincent's Vision - Seeing through my eyes, 2021

Vincent Namatjira, Western Arrarnta people, Vincent's vision - Seeing through my eyes, 2021, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022

MANTUA NANGALA
Untitled, 2021

Mantua Nangala, Pintupi people, Untitled (detail), 2021, commissioned by the National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra for the 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony with the support of Sue Dyer and Steve Dyer, purchased in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2021, image courtesy the artist and Papunya Tula Artists © the artist and | Aboriginal Artists Agency Ltd

NUKUMA PEOPLE
Minja, 1900-1950

Paip, Minja (personal name Mungi), National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022, donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program in memory of Eric and Evarne Coote and in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary © the artist

BEN QUILTY
Myall Creek Rorschach, 2019

Ben Quilty, Myall Creek Rorschach, 2019, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, gift of the artist 2021, donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022 © Ben Quilty

JUDE RAE
Waterloo II (#449), 2021

Jude Rae, Waterloo II (#449) (detail), 2021, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022 © Jude Rae

JEFFREY SMART
Near Knossos, 1973

Jeffrey Smart, Near Knossos, 1973, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia’s 40th anniversary, 2022, © The Estate of Jeffrey Smart

KIKI SMITH
Earth, Underground & Sky, 2012

Kiki Smith, Sky (detail), 2012, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022 © Kiki Smith, courtesy Pace Gallery

ETHEL SPOWERS
Melbourne, 1930

Ethel Spowers, Melbourne, 1930, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, acquired with the generous assistance of John Keats, great nephew of the artist, and Paul Evans in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022

AIDA TOMESCU
A long line of sand III, 2021

Aida Tomescu, A long line of sand III (detail), 2021, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, gift of Rowena Danziger, in memory of Ken Coles AM, in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022 © Aida Tomescu. Licensed by Copyright Agency, 2022

BARBARA TRIBE
Eve (Female torso, Thailand), 1971

Barbara Tribe, Eve (Female torso, Thailand) (detail), 1971, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, gift of Bettina Dalton in memory of John Schaefer AO2 021 in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary held in 2022, donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program © Barbara Tribe Foundation

KARA WALKER
Your world is about to change, 2019

Four panels display sketches of a scene - a colonial slave ship and a negress in chains

Kara Walker, Your World is About to Change, 2019, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased with the assistance of the Poynton Bequest in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022 © Kara Walker

JUSTENE WILLIAMS
Victory over the Sun, 2016

Justene Williams, Strong Woman from Victory over the Sun (performance documentation), 2016, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2021 © Justene Williams. Image courtesy of the artist and Sarah Cottier Gallery, Gadigal Nura/Sydney

JORDAN WOLFSON
Body Sculpture, 2023

Jordan Wolfson, Colored sculpture (installation view), 2016, image courtesy of the artist, David Zwirner Gallery and Sadie Coles HQ © Jordan Wolfson, photograph: Dan Bradic

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

Art & Artists


Referenced

Richard Bell, Kamilaroi/Kooma/Jiman/Goreng Goreng peoples

From little things big things grow
2019-2020

Mary Cassatt

The fitting
1890-91

Teelah George

Sky Piece, falling (Melbourne, Perth)
2020 - 2021

Juz Kitson

Charred urn, a lament for the wildfires no 2
2021

Grace Lillian Lee, Meriam Mir people

Future Woven Floral Forms
2020

Mantua Nangala, Pintupi people

Untitled
2021

Jude Rae

Waterloo II (#449)
2021

Kara Walker

Your World is About to Change
2019

Creator Profile

Cressida Campbell

Born 1960

Creator Profile

Mary Cassatt

1844-1926

Creator Profile

Helen Ganalmirriwuy Garrawurra

Born 1955

Creator Profile

Nan Goldin

Born 1953

Creator Profile

Emily Kame Kngwarreye

1910-1996

Creator Profile

Vincent Namatjira

Born 1983

Creator Profile

Mantua Nangala

Born 1959

Creator Profile

Jeffrey Smart

1921-2013

Creator Profile

Kara Walker

Born 1969

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