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Exhibitions

18th Biennale of Sydney: all our relations | Opens 27 Jun

Held every two years, the Biennale of Sydney is Australia's largest contemporary visual arts event, showcasing bold and innovative contemporary art from around the world.

At the Art Gallery of NSW, this year's exhibition is subtitled In Finite Blue Planet and features artworks from 27 international artists. These works present alternative perspectives for a globalised world, while facing the challenges of living on a finite planet in an endangered environment, with war, displacement and migration as consequences.

Artworks in the Biennale unfold in a sequence through the Biennale Art Walk, starting here at the Gallery before moving to the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, then to Pier 2/3 in Walsh Bay and finally to Cockatoo Island.

Special events include artist talks, workshops, performances and tours

Kamisaka Sekka: dawn of modern Japanese design | Opens 22 Jun

This exhibition showcases the work of one of the great visionaries of modern Japanese art and design, his influences and his legacy, through paintings, lacquerware, ceramics and textiles.

With loans from private collections and from the Hosomi Museum in Kyoto, this is the first time such a comprehensive display of the exemplary Japanese sense for design is shown in Australia. Charges apply.

Symposium Sat 23 Jun 9.30am book online

Simone Mangos: DAMAGED – thalidomide victims in medical documents | Until 5 Aug 

This exhibition focuses on the representation and perception of deformity, with specific reference to the tragedy surrounding the pharmaceutical drug thalidomide.

Based on medical photographs and documents, Mangos’s paintings attempt to accurately reproduce the content and photographic qualities of these images, drawing attention to their subjugating, even cruel attitudes towards the subject.

Part of the AGNSW Contemporary Project series.

Jacky Redgate: the logic of vision | Until 9 Sep

This exhibition of photography and installation by Jacky Redgate from the Gallery’s collection surveys the artist’s creative trajectory from the 1980s until now.

Reflecting on the traditions of modernity in particular, Redgate enquires into the technological, scientific, philosophical and aesthetic ideas that we have inherited.

Special events include a lecture by Michael Desmond, deputy director, National Portrait Gallery, and an exhibition talk.

Australian Symbolism: the art of dreams | Until 29 Jul

Rather than representing the real world, Symbolist artists sought to suggest altered realities as conjured by the mind. To evoke ideas, dreams and sensations, they envisaged poetic landscapes, femmes fatales and figures drawn from spiritual and mythological terrains.

Featuring over 70 works by artists including Rupert Bunny, Arthur Streeton and Sydney Long, this is the first major exhibition to explore the influence of the Symbolist movement on Australian art at the turn of the 19th century.

Special events include talks, drawing sessions and tours.

Australian galleries

From colonial to contemporary, explore the history of Australian art through the Gallery's extraordinary collection. Some of the country's most treasured works are presented with a fresh perspective, displayed alongside recent acquisitions and works which have not been seen for many years.

Guided tours: daily 2pm

More information
 

Watch now: In this video Wayne Tunnicliffe, head of Australian art, discusses contemporary art and art from the past in the refreshed Australian galleries.

Art After Hours

Late opening and free events every Wednesday until 9pm

Celebrity talks 6.30pm

In association with Australian Symbolism
13 Jun | Professor Russell Meares, emeritus professor of psychiatry, University of Sydney, on dreams
20 Jun | Professor Barry Spurr, professor of poetry and poetics, University of Sydney, on the Symbolist poets

In association with 18th Biennale of Sydney: all our relations
27 Jun | ABC Classic FM presenter Julian Day talks with the American artist collective Postcommodity about their work in the 18th Biennale of Sydney, Do You Remember When?
4 Jul | Jonathan Biggins in conversation with Catherine de Zegher and Gerald McMaster, curators of the 18th Biennale of Sydney: all our relations

Full program

Film

Outsiders in Australian Cinema: celebrating the newly reopened Australian galleries | until 24 Jun

This film series explores the outsider in Australian cinema and the conflict that can arise between conformity and individuality. The series concludes with Return home (Dir: Ray Argall 1990) and Animal Kingdom (Dir: David Michôd 2010).

Full program and session times
 

Our film program will go into recess from 24 June to 24 September.

For kids

School holiday program

Take part in the art these school holidays with an exciting range of programs for kids and adults, including workshops, tours and free performances.

Our hugely popular art workshops are suitable for all ages. Kids can be inspired by the 18th Biennale of Sydney: all our relations and create their own contemporary masterpiece. Or they can take part in the Kamisaka Sekka workshop and make their own lantern in celebration of the Star Festival. Charges apply.

We also have free performances every Sunday at 2.30pm.

For more information visit Gallery Kids.

Support us

Donate now and receive a tax deduction

It is only through the contributions of individuals and companies that the Gallery has grown into a leading arts museum, a national treasure and a vital part of Sydney’s cultural life.

Although we are a public gallery, we do not receive government funding to buy art, and our collections rely completely on the money we can raise.

Please consider making a donation to the Gallery before 30 June 2012. 

More information on how to donate

Support the acquisition of contemporary art

By making a tax-deductible donation to the acquisition fund for contemporary Australian art you can become a member of the Gallery's Contemporary Collection Benefactors (CCB) and enjoy a lively program of events with other contemporary art enthusiasts.

Donate and join CCB

Win

The 18th Biennale of Sydney returns this month to leading venues across the city, including the Art Gallery of NSW.

To celebrate, we have a double pass to the exclusive Opening Night Party on Cockatoo Island up for grabs. For your chance to win email us by 20 June and tell us why you'd like to attend.

Win

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition is now on at the Powerhouse Museum. Sit on the White Witch’s icy throne, touch a frozen waterfall and see costumes and props from the blockbuster film series. Book now

We have 3 family passes plus souvenir lanyards to give away. For your chance to win email us by 20 June and tell us the name of the White Witch.

Contempo membership

Love contemporary art? Contempo is designed specifically for art enthusiasts who enjoy exploring and being part of Sydney’s contemporary art scene.

With all the benefits of Gallery membership and a diverse program of events tailored to contemporary art, Contempo covers it all.

Learn more and join