Australian art may not be the first thing which comes to mind when visiting the land known for deserts, wildlife and beaches.
As someone from Melbourne, there are less stretches of desert and warm beaches down here. It’s more coffee, laneways, art galleries and nightlife in Melbourne than most other places in Australia.
I have been very influenced by the artists of Melbourne, the wider Australian art culture, and 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, 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 including European, Asian, Oceanic and American art.
The original NGV International building opened in 1968, and the collection has doubled to more than 70,000 works of art.
The NGV in Federation Square has contemporary exhibitions including talks, tours, programs for kids, films, and performances.
Art Gallery of NSW
The Art Gallery of NSW has exhibited incredible international and Australian art since 1971. The spectacular art museum is located on the land of the Gadigal people.
Most exhibitions and events are free at the Art Gallery of NSW, 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 collection at the NGA is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art collection of over 7500 works.
Exhibitions include 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 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 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 there are always new additions to take in. The touring exhibitions or simply the architecture of the building and site challenge your perspective and feelings.. 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.
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 houses Australia’s first purpose built cinema, with free shows from a wide range of film makers.
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. The collection includes 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. There is also a 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 with a lovely ambiance 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 buy Indigenous Australian art.
In the old days, opportunistic gallerists would swoop into remote parts of Australia, and return with loads of dot paintings.
Indigenous artists were exploited. They were paid with alcohol, food, or under a hundred dollars for artworks which later sold 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 patterns and stories to Indigenous Australians, which are reinforced and replicated through ritual, dance, song, body painting, rock engravings and paintings. 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 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.
Art Culture, Melbourne Victoria
Melbourne has always been known as the artistic city in Australia, due to the colder weather conditions, hundreds of galleries, and bursting creative culture.
When wandering the colourful laneways of Melbourne CBD among 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.
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
White Night festival in Melbourne was born from the all night arts festivals in cities all over the world. 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. These 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 relatable ways.
Reading the synopsis’ beside paintings and researching artists in any country is an interesting way to learn of a culture. This also assists in the understanding of behavior, and of bonding cultures.
Art And Study
There are many art focused courses in Australia, from university degrees to community based learning. These course cover all forms of painting, sculpture, music, writing, film, life drawing, design and media.
The most focus and funding is 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 tourist attractions, if you take the time to enjoy the creativity of the nation, it will enrich your experience while visiting Australia.
