Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP SIGHTS
ART GALLERY OF NSW
With its classical Greek frontage and modern rear end, the Art Gallery of NSW plays a prominent and gregarious
role in Sydney society. Blockbuster international touring exhibitions arrive regularly (recent examples include Pi-
casso and the Chinese terracotta warriors) and there's an outstanding permanent collection of Australian art, in-
cluding a substantial indigenous collection. The gallery also plays host to a lively line-up of lectures, concerts,
screenings, celebrity talks and children's activities.
Collection & Layout
As you enter, the galleries to the left are devoted to 20th- and 21st-century
Australian
works
(featuring the likes of Brett Whitely, Sidney Nolan, Grace Cossington Smith and
James Gleeson), while to the right the central room contains local 19th-century art (Arthur
Streeton, Tom Roberts). Either side of this is the
European art collection
, split into 15th to
19th century (Constable, Gainsborough, Rubens), and 19th and 20th century (Degas, Van
Gogh, Monet, Rodin).
At the rear of this level is the gallery's excellent
restaurant
( 9225 1819;
www.trippaswhitegroup.com.au
;
2-/3-courses $55/70; lunch & high tea daily)
, and ceramics and religious
art from the well-regarded
Asian collection
. The remainder of the Asian collection
(Chinese, Korean and Japanese art) is on the first of the lower levels, by the cafe.
Lower level 2 has the constantly changing
Modern
(Picasso, Gormley, Bacon),
Con-
temporary
(Gilbert & George, Jeff Koons, Sol LeWitt) and
Photography
galleries. Head
down again for the
Yiribana Gallery
containing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
collection (Binyinyuwuy, Tom Djawa, Brenda L Croft).
A range of free guided tours is offered on different themes and in various languages; en-
quire at the desk or check the website.
Art Prizes
The gallery's most famous annual show coincides with the unfailingly controversial
Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes (usually in April and May; admission $10).
