From the other side of the world, Australian art may not be the first thing which comes to mind when deciding to visit the land known for its of deserts, wildlife and beaches.
As someone from Melbourne, Victoria, there are less stretches of desert and warm beaches down here, and more coffee, laneways, art galleries and nightlife in Melbourne than most other places in Australia.
I have been very influenced by the artistic nature of Melbourne, the wider Australian art culture, and some of the famous artists in Australia. For this reason I pass on my Top Reasons to Discover Australian Art Culture.
National Galleries
There are hundreds of art galleries in Australia, from small pop-ups to the largest, world renowned National Galleries. I have listed some of the major National Galleries below as a starting point when visiting the major cities.
NGV Victoria
The NGV or National Gallery of Victoria has expanded to two galleries, a close distance apart. One located on St Kilda Road, the old building, and the newer modernised building as part of Federation Square, opposite Flinders street station.
Both have free entry and comprise a whole world of international art, displaying a collection of European, Asian, Oceanic and American art.
The original older building, the NGV International opened in St Kilda Road in 1968, and the total collection has doubled in size to more than 70,000 works of art.
The NGV in Federation Square also has a visual arts experience with diverse temporary exhibitions of talks, tours, programs for kids, films, and performance.
Art Gallery of NSW
The Art Gallery of NSW has exhibited incredible international and Australian art since 1971 in this spectacular art museum, located on the land of the Gadigal people.
Most exhibitions and events are free at the Art Gallery of NSW, as well as the initial admission to the gallery. Modern works are displayed in large, light areas, with spectacular views of Sydney Harbour.
The collection also includes everything from from European older works to the 19th-century Australian collection, as well as art pieces from Asia, Torres Strait Island and Indigenous Aboriginal Australian artists.
Canberra National Gallery of Australia
The National Gallery of Australia is located on the shores of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin. Included in the huge collection at the NGA is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art collection of over 7500 works.
Exhibited within the parliamentary precinct of this area, famous artists from Australia and overseas’ works, past and present are portrayed in the permanent collection, in one of the most popular art galleries in Australia.
Its free to visit the NGA, with the exception of some select exhibitions being ticketed.
Modern Art Galleries
Heide Museum of Modern Art, Melbourne, Victoria
Established in 1981, Heide, also known as The Heide Museum of Modern Art, is an Australian contemporary art museum in Bulleen, Melbourne, Victoria.
Heide is set on gorgeous grounds, which are great for a picnic and strolling through the gardens to view the sculptures, which are heritage listed and well maintained.
Heide was the home to Sunday and John Reed from 1934. The Reeds invited similar minded, famous artists from Australia, including Sidney Nolan, Albert Tucker, Joy Hester, John Perceval and Danila Vassilieff to join the Heide space.
The group of artists, writers and intellectuals who went on to contribute to Heide discussed creation and promoted modern art and literature.
MONA, Hobart, Tasmania
When wandering through the MONA grounds, or taking the MONA ferry, each time I have visit this Modern Art gallery, there are always new additions to challenge your perspective and feelings. Whether it be the one of the touring exhibitions or simply the architecture of the building and site, There is also usually humour involved in the thought provoking exhibits, which is welcome to some of the darker subjects.
Mona’s grounds and building showcases the highlights of David Walsh’s $110m private collection of art and antiquities, as well as hosting a full exhibition program, making this one of the most eclectic art galleries in Australia.
Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane QLD
The beautiful building of GOMA opened in 2006. It is the Queensland Art Gallery’s second building, and is the largest gallery of modern and contemporary art in Australia. GOMA also houses Australia’s first purpose built cinema, with free shows from a wide range of film makers and rare screenings.
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney NSW
Located at The Rocks by the water in Sydney Harbour, is the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.
This art deco building shows a collection of modern art from both Australia and over the World, including over 4000 pieces by Australian artists, a collection built since 1989.
The Australia collection covers a wide range of mediums, including painting, photography, sculpture, paper and video, as well as significant representation of art by Torres Strait Islanders and Indigenous Aboriginal Australian artists.
Australian Galleries, Melbourne, Victoria and Sydney NSW
Since 1956, these two galleries are easy to access, and house a ton of exhibitions all year with a lovely ambiance and atmosphere when wandering through the galleries.
Their paintings are for sale, entry is free, and there are regular exhibitions by contemporary Australia artists. Exhibits are suitable for kids and mature adults.
Indigenous Australian Art
It’s important to do your research when deciding where to view Indigenous Art and where to buy Aboriginal art in Australia.
In the old days, opportunistic gallerists would swoop into remote parts of Australia and return with a load of dot paintings, obtained by very unfair methods.
Indigenous artists were exploited and paid with alcohol or food, or under a hundred dollars for artworks which would later sell for thousands of dollars.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples art and traditions are among the oldest and most important in human history. They have lived on the land of Australia for tens of thousands of years.
Ancestors taught the designs, patterns and stories to Indigenous Australians, which are reinforced and replicated through ritual, dance, song, body painting, rock engravings and paintings, and on domestic and ritual objects. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art is as thriving today as it was thousands of years ago. As in the ancient past, the art is inseparable from everyday life.
There are several types of methods used by Indigenous Aboriginal Australian artists, including rock painting, dot painting, rock engravings, bark painting, carvings, sculptures, and weaving and string art. A variety of colours are used, except for red, which symbolises blood and is only used in other types of painting.
The oldest firmly known rock art painting in Australia, is drawing on a rock piece, which was located during the excavation of the Narwala Gabarnmang rock shelter in the Northern Territory.
Dated at 28,000 years, the artwork is one of the oldest known pieces of rock art known on Earth (with a confirmed date).
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Art Culture, Melbourne Victoria
Melbourne has always been known as the main art city in Australia, due to the colder weather conditions, hundreds of galleries, music, and bursting creative culture.
Aside from experiencing art in the usual art galleries in Australia, wandering the colourful laneways of Melbourne CBD and the inner suburbs, among the coffee shops, boutiques and buskers you’ll also find some of the most interesting independent art galleries and spaces.
Often these galleries are free admission or a small price and hold exhibition openings on various weeknights or weekend afternoons.
Similar to other ‘art focussed’ cities like Chicago, the Melbourne street art scene is one to pay attention to, with graffiti art, murals, and street art adding expression while you wander through the lively laneways.
Visit here to discover the street art of Chicago.
On top of this is the ever thriving music culture of Melbourne, proving that creativity is encouraged and always evolving in this city.
Art Culture, Hobart Tasmania
In recent years one of the biggest additions to Hobart has been MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), creating a distinct change in the artistic culture and events of Tasmania and Hobart.
Visiting MONA is an entire experience, and the gallery continue to push the boundaries with their private collection and touring exhibitions.
In addition to this is the MONA styled ferry, complete with statue cows and astro turf, as well as the MONA FOMA and Dark MOFO festivals in January and June each year respectively.
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The longest running galleries of Hobart have always been on the tourism roster for years, providing Hobart with the current culture of art, craft, and local produce.
Art Festivals
The White Night festival in Melbourne was born from the all night arts festivals in cities all over the world, usually in summer. White Night in Melbourne has been running since 2013, and has now expanded to Bendigo in 2020.
In 2019 the festival changed to White Night Reimagined, a pared-down version of the arts, music and light festival.
Every year there are also Fringe Festivals in Melbourne, Sydney and Hobart and Perth, which include nights of uncensored performing arts including comedy, cabaret, and more.
Australian History
One of the best ways to learn the history of a nation and its experiences is through art. Individual perspectives, ideas and feelings are conveyed effectively in the most challenging and sometimes relatable ways.
Reading the synopsis’ beside paintings and searching online to learn artists histories in any country is an interesting and fascinating way to learn of a culture. This also assists in the understanding of behavior, and of bonding cultures.
Art And Study
There are tons of art focused courses in Australia, from university degrees, to TAFE run short courses and community based learning, covering all forms of painting, sculpture, music, writing, film, life drawing, design and media.
The most focus and funding would be in the larger cities, where opportunities are available.
- Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance
- National Association for the Visual Arts
- Live Performance Australia
Aside from the usual and common tourist attractions in Australia, taking some time to enjoy the creativity and history of the nation, whether it be the Australian art galleries, curb side performances or painted laneways, will enrich your experience and understanding while visiting Australia.
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