DK Travel : Sydney : Art Gallery of New South Wales

Art Gallery of New South Wales

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Conceived in the 1870s and opened to the public in 1909, AGNSW contains some of the finest artworks in Australia. Situated on a grand drive in The Domain, it has always been a wonderful place to escape the heat and bustle of the city. The gallery has been extended several times in the last four decades and houses a significant collection of Australian, Asian and European art. There are approximately 40 temporary exhibitions per year, and the permanent collection rotates quarterly.
Catch the train to Martin Place and walk through the grounds of Sydney Hospital and across the Domain.

Art Gallery of New South Wales

1. Exterior

Walter Liberty Vernon designed the striking colonnaded entrance and ornamented walls of this stucture in the Classical style.
2. Southern Galleries

These rooms contain the oldest works at AGNSW, for the largely British art displayed here was initially the gallery’s focus. The lovely rooms complement the many noteworthy works.
3. Yiribana Gallery

Dedicated to Aboriginal art and culture, the works here range from bark paintings and traditional designs on canvas to works by contemporary Aboriginal artists such as Lin Onus.
4. New Asian Galleries

Lit up like a Chinese lantern at night, this 2003 gallery highlights the different traditions, periods and cultures of Asia. The artworks are accompanied by fact cards providing historical and cultural backgrounds.
5. Australian Art Collection

Featuring major names in Australian art, this collection displays works by luminaries such as Sidney Nolan, Grace Cossington-Smith, Brett Whiteley and Arthur Boyd. There are many works by local Sydney artists (see Top 10 Sydney Artists) and several great images of the city.
6. Photography Collection

From Muybridge’s first experimentation with photographs to artists such as Cindy Sherman, Tracey Moffat and Hans Hasenpflug, the world’s most significant names in photography are well represented here.
7. Temporary Exhibitions

Several spaces at AGNSW are dedicated to temporary exhibitions. While some display contemporary art, others are retrospectives spanning a movement or an artist’s career. Entry can entail a minor fee.
8. Art After Hours

On Wednesday nights until 9pm, the gallery draws a keen after-work crowd with its free film screenings, celebrity talks, jazz and access to all exhibitions.
9. Archibald, Wynne & Sulman Prizes

The annual Archibald prize is for portraiture, the Sulman for genre painting and the Wynne for landscape painting.
10. Café & Restaurant

The AGNSW café is a great spot to take a break. It serves good coffee, lunch and snacks, as well as wine and beer, and has a gorgeous view of the harbour and Woolloomooloo. The swish restaurant has a similar view and an extensive menu.

Practical Information

Re-energize your tired eyes and feet with a snack at the AGNSW café. The AGNSW shop stocks exhibition catalogues, gifts, postcards, unusual souvenirs and a huge range of art books. Sundays are Fundays for kids, with art shows on various topics. There are also frequent classes and workshops. Art Gallery Rd, The Domain 9225 1744 www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au See works on paper that are not on display in the Study Room. It’s best to make a booking 9225 1758