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The Art Gallery of New South Wales is one of the landmarks of Australian cultural heritage. Steeped with a history that dates back to the 18th century, the gallery had been a witness to the cultural evolution of Australia from a colonial past to the present state. The political unrest that tormented Europe in the 1870s had led to a rising tide of cultural idealism in the continent. A growing cultural awareness found its way into the Australian colony too, and after an art gallery had been set up at Melbourne, Sydney too established its own art gallery in 1874 in an attempt to refine the essentially mercantile colonized milieu. The building expanded in later years to incorporate more exhibition areas, archives and research rooms. The Art Gallery of New South Wales began its journey by storing the works of local contemporary artists. Paintings were later brought in from Europe, and as the funds mounted, the walls were soon adorned with some of the prized water color and oil paintings from the English and French artists. Collection: The Art Gallery of New South Wales now preserves a wide store of art works by Asian, European as well as indigenous artists. The early collections included major European works like Ford Madox Brown's Chaucer at the Court of Edward III. Celebrated Australian works like Streeton's 1891 Fire's on, and Roberts' 1894 The Golden Fleece were also featured. Some of the famous 19th century displays are works by artists like John Glover, Arthur Streeton, Eugene von Guerard, John Russell, Tom Roberts and David Davies. Works of 20th Century Australian artists like Hugh Ramsay, William Dobell, Rupert Bunny, Grace Cossington Smith, Roland Wakelin, Margaret Preston, Sidney Nolan, and others are also preserved here. With a magnificent collection of paintings, sketches and photographs, the Art Gallery of New South Wales stands as Sydney’s most important public gallery and also the second largest gallery in Australia ranking next to the grand National Gallery of Victoria. Programs conducted: The gallery organizes a number of events for public awareness and entertainment. Free lectures on national and international art are staged for the art enthusiasts. The visitors are guided across the gallery for a better understanding of the works displayed. Several workshops, courses and conferences are organized here to sustain the cultural richness. The museum has a study room to furnish the art connoisseurs with further knowledge on art. The room has a collection of photographs, sketches and paintings, where the public can view printed copies of the paintings that are not in display then. As a patron of art, the gallery sponsors a number of prizes for the budding talents. The Archibald Prize is Australia’s most prestigious prize for art. The Sulman prize, Wynne prize and Dobell art prizes are also dished out by the gallery. The gallery remains open everyday from 10 in the morning to 5 in the evening. Admission is free here to encourage the art lovers for frequent visits. Address: Art Gallery Road, The Domain,
Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
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