If you love gazing at beautiful artwork, then you have to go to these 8 Australian artwork galleries. From prestigious European masterpieces to modern Australia portraits, Hindu artwork and everything between these galleries display priceless collections of artwork curated for public pleasure.
ART GALLERY OF NSW
As one of the biggest public galleries in Australia and also the most important in Sydney, the Art Gallery of New South Wales surely evokes a feeling of grandeur with its neoclassical Greek frontage. Their exhibition showcases are simply top tier. Established in 1871, the gallery features fine art from European masters like Vincent van Gogh, in addition to Australian artists such as Frederick McCubbin and John Olsen.
NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA
When you make your way through the archway and supporting the wall of water into the Great Hall, then you will find yourself in awe of the NGV’s size and architectural importance. The National Gallery of Victoria is the earliest and most visited art gallery in Australia, with over 73,000 art services, functions and exhibitions held involving the primary pub and The Ian Potter Centre. One of the most notable art functions is Tom Roberts’ Shearing the Rams.
MONA
Described by David Walsh as a”subversive adult Disneyland,” the Museum of both Old and New Art is the largest privately owned art gallery in Australia. Having a set of 1,900 functions of counting and art, the gallery has grown into one of Hobart’s most well-known attractions since launching in 2011. From Egyptian antiquities to modern artwork from the David Walsh collection, MONA preserves a varied collection.
NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
While being painted Tom Roberts put forth the idea of a national portrait gallery in the early 1900s, it was only in 1998 that the dedicated portrait gallery was launched in Canberra. Painting a quintessentially Australian background, the gallery holds over 400 portraits of Australia’s most powerful faces such as Howard Arkley’s Nick Cave, John Webber’s picture of Captain James Cook and Barry Humphrey’s Self Portrait.
ART GALLERY OF SA
With more than 38,000 functions of art, the Art Gallery of South Australia retains the nation’s second-biggest state art collection. Established in 1881, AGSA is famous for its impressive selection of Native Australian and colonial art in addition to a substantial assortment of Pre-Raphaelite artwork and works of the Heidelberg School. The gallery is also the solely dedicated Islamic gallery showcase in Australia.
ART GALLERY OF WA
As a crucial part of the Perth Cultural Centre, the Art Gallery of Western Australia opened in 1979. With more than 17,000 works of art such as 3,000 Native functions, the gallery puts particular focus on Western Australian native art. The gallery also has a notable selection of sculptural pieces in addition to Twentieth Century Australian and British paintings.
NATIONAL GALLERY OF AUSTRALIA
Launched in 1967, the National Gallery of Australia is home to over 160,000 works of art: Australian art, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander art, Asian art and European and American art. Situated in Canberra’s parliamentary precinct, the gallery is home to artists like Jackson Pollock, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso and David Hockney in Addition to Sidney Nolan’s Ned Kelly series.
CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHY
From modest beginnings as a non-profit display and resource hub, the Centre for Contemporary Photography is now an established photo-based arts space. Situated in Fitzroy, CCP contains five exhibition spaces including two galley-style galleries along with a Nighttime Projection Window. The gallery showcases work from emerging and recognized photographic artists and frequently hosts festivals, festivals and master classes.