13 art exhibitions in Australia not to miss this summer
Australians will be treated to a number of must-see exhibitions and installations at some of the country’s most beloved galleries.
There’s more than one reason to add a trip to an art gallery to your summer to-do list this holiday season. Beyond escaping the oppressive heat, art galleries offer a serene escape of aesthetic pleasure, and can culturally elevate your holidays with their offerings of creativity and contemplation.
This season in particular, Australians will be treated to a number of must-see exhibitions and installations at some of the country’s most beloved galleries. From the iconic, once-in-a-lifetime curation of famous artist Kandinsky’s work at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, to the exciting showcase that is the National Gallery of Victoria’s Triennial, Australia’s best art galleries will be providing havens of thought-provoking culture and beautiful sights all summer long.
So, make the most of your summer months this year at these 13 not-to-be-missed art exhibitions that will be showing across Australia.
Brett Whiteley: Chapters 1959-69
Until 3 March 2024
AGNSW
Brett Whiteley: Chapters 1959-69 showcases renowned Australian painter, sculpture and graphic artist Brett Whiteley’s work from the significant chapter that was his 20s and 30s. This time-capsule collection allows the audience to reflect upon this era of time, and the many encounters he had with new people, landscapes, art and music—as well as dissecting the political and social atmosphere of the time. Some of the works exhibited have not been on public display since the ‘70s, making this an exciting exhibit for fans of the celebrated artist.
Plan your visit here.
Kandinsky
Until 4 November 2024
AGNSW
Kandinsky showcases the life and work of Russian-born artist Vasily Kandinsky — an artist who is considered one of the most influential European modernists and great innovators of European abstraction. Curated in partnership with Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, this collection of work is an in depth analysis of Kandinsky’s unique understanding of colour, form and abstraction in one of the largest collections of the artist’s work to be seen in Australia. This exhibition is exclusive to Sydney, and is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Australian public to see in person the magic and vibrancy that is an infusion in Kandinsky’s celebrated work.
Plan your visit here.
Georgiana Houghton: Invisible Friends
Until 10 March 2024
AGNSW
Be immersed in 19th century British artist Georgiana Houghton’s compelling ‘spirit drawings’, a rare collection of Houghton’s work created in the 1860s and ‘70s. This special exhibition, which is being held in conjunction with Kandinsky, infuses art and spirituality, and details Houghton’s unique process. The artist, and medium, aimed to interpret her spiritual connections into her watercolour work, being guided by her ‘spiritual friends’ in the afterlife to create her intricate and mesmerising imagery on the canvas, culminating in the body of work that will be open to the public this summer at the AGNSW — and is not one to be missed.
Plan your visit here.
Primavera 2023: Young Australian Artists
Until 4 February 2024
MCA
Elevate your summer holiday with an array of dynamic cultural stories at the Museum of Contemporary Art’s Primavera 2023: Young Australian Artists, now in its 32nd year. Curated by Talia Smith, this exhibition is a vibrant showcase of emerging talents, all aged 35 and under, who use their art to challenge societal norms. The diverse works, spanning installation, video, painting, sculpture, and more, come from artists like Tiyan Baker, Christopher Bassi, and Nikki Lam. Since its initiation in 1992, Primavera has been a catalyst for introducing early-career artists to a broader audience.
Plan your visit here.
MCA Collection:
Artists in Focus
Until 28 April 2024
MCA
Explore the dynamic world of contemporary art at the MCA this season with the in-house MCA Collection: Artists in Focus display. This evolving exhibition showcases over 50 artists from the MCA’s collections since 1989, featuring emblematic and rarely seen works. The current iteration highlights diverse perspectives across generations, media, and practices. Notable artists include Joan Brassil, Kevin Gilbert, Simryn Gill, Jumaadi, Tracey Moffatt, Sancintya Mohini Simpson, John Nixon, Leyla Stevens, and Alick Tipoti. The exhibition also presents over 60 bark paintings from the Arnott’s Biscuits Collection, weaving a powerful narrative of storytelling, cultural traditions, and shared histories.
Plan your visit here.
Triennial
Until 7 April 2024
NGV
Indulge in a cultural escapade this summer at the National Gallery of Victoria’s (NGV) Triennial exhibition, a spectacular showcase featuring 100 extraordinary projects from 120 leading artists, designers, and collectives at the forefront of global contemporary practice. Spanning all four levels of NGV International, the Triennial immerses visitors in a powerful and moving portrait of the world today. From innovative artworks to cutting-edge designs, this exhibition promises a sensory journey through the diverse and dynamic landscape of contemporary creativity. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this unique intersection of art and global zeitgeist on Australian shores this season.
Plan your visit here.
Photography: Real and Imagined
Until 4 February 2024
NGV
Explore the fascinating duality of Photography: Real and Imagined at the NGV. This exhibition delves into two distinct perspectives on photography – one grounded in the real world, serving as a record and reflection of our surroundings, and the other as a product of imagination, storytelling, and illusion. Drawing from the extensive NGV Collection, including recent acquisitions unveiled for the first time, the exhibition is a comprehensive survey of over 300 works by Australian and international photographers and photo-media artists spanning the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first centuries.
Plan your visit here.
Fairy Tales
Until 28 April 2024
QAGOMA
Step into the enchanting world of Fairy Tales at the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA). This exclusive Brisbane exhibition explores centuries of beloved folk stories through art, design, and film. From opulent carriages to sumptuous gowns, the showcase features works by artists like Abdul Abdullah, Del Kathryn Barton, Yayoi Kusama, and more, alongside original papercuts by Hans Christian Andersen and film costumes from classics like ‘La Belle et la Bête’, ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ Immerse yourself in a captivating blend of contemporary art, breathtaking costumes, and cinematic magic in this special display.
Plan your visit here.
Gone Fishing
Until 21 January 2024
QAGOMA
Dive into the cultural tapestry of Indigenous Australian artists and the timeless practice of fishing with Gone Fishing at QAGOMA. Drawing from their collection, the exhibition showcases artworks celebrating this cultural, social, and recreational activity. Beyond traditional tools and depictions of leisure, the exhibit addresses pressing issues like rising seas, water contamination, and the challenges faced by Traditional Owners. Gone Fishing not only features historical artworks but also offers contemporary responses that boldly express the artists’ positions on environmental threats.
Plan your visit here.
Heavenly Beings: Icons of the Christian Orthodox World
Until 1 April 2024
MONA
Explore the spiritual roots of Eastern Christianity at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)’s Heavenly Beings: Icons of the Christian Orthodox World. This scholarly exhibition curated by Dr. Sophie Matthiesson delves into the biological motivations behind human behaviour, examining the universal phenomenon of religious belief. Showcasing early Christian icons, the exhibition spans from after 1453, revealing the continuity and vitality of icon painting across Orthodox Christian regions. The collection includes vibrant icons from diverse traditions, portraying Christ, Mary, and guardian saints.
Plan your visit here.
Hrafntinna (Obsidian)
Until 1 April 2024
MONA
Experience Jónsi’s Hrafntinna (Obsidian) at MONA, born from his pandemic-induced isolation in America and the eruption of Fagradalsfjall in Iceland. As Sigur Rós’s lead vocalist, Jónsi channels his deep connection to his homeland into this installation, complemented by his solo album ‘Obsidian.’ The visceral compositions capture the volcanic energy and a four-part choral hymn inspired by Icelandic choirs. This MONA acquisition, displayed for the first time, offers a sensory journey into Jónsi’s private sense of dislocation, inviting viewers to feel the sound, smell, and bodily vibrations of Fagradalsfjall.
Plan your visit here.
The Antipodean Manifesto
Until 18 February 2024
AGWA
Explore The Antipodean Manifesto at the Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA), featuring works by the influential Melbourne-based Antipodean group in 1959, including Charles Blackman, Arthur Boyd, and others. Originating from a single 1959 exhibition at the Victorian Artists Society, the manifesto, written by Bernard Smith, expresses their opposition to non-figurative art and emphasises the importance of recognisable images in painting. The group saw abstraction as a threat to Australian figurative art, countering the growing popularity of abstract art in Sydney. The exhibition, drawn from The State Art Collection, delves into the formation and aspirations of the Antipodean group within the late 1950s social and political context of Australia.
Plan your visit here.
Spaced: Rural Utopias
Until 18 February 2024
AGWA
Explore Spaced: Rural Utopias at AGWA this summer, an exhibition featuring new works by ten artists developed during residencies in rural and remote Western Australia. Artists such as Jacky Cheng, Jo Darbyshire, and Nathan Gray collaborated with local communities, responding to social, environmental, and historical contexts. The exhibition showcases these new works alongside selections from the State Art Collection that resonate with the theme of Rural Utopias, and the artists’ projects highlight the permeable boundaries of art institutions, facilitating an exchange between cultural production and social relations.
Plan your visit here.