Art Gallery of New South Wales

Overview

The Art Gallery of New South Wales is one of Australia's foremost cultural institutions, founded in 1871 and set within a neoclassical building overlooking Sydney Harbour. Its 2022 Sydney Modern expansion by SANAA doubled exhibition space with a striking series of pavilions cascading toward the harbour.

Highlights

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander gallery: The Yiribana Gallery houses one of the largest permanent collections of Indigenous Australian art.
• Sydney Modern Project: The 2022 SANAA-designed extension features an underground art tank in a decommissioned WWII naval fuel bunker.
• European collection: Works by Cézanne, Monet, Picasso, and a renowned collection of British art.

History

Established 1871, the gallery moved to its current Domain site in 1897. A major bequest by John Howard Hinton in 1923 formed the core European collection.

Visitor Tips

• Free entry: Permanent collections are free; special exhibitions ticketed.
• Wednesday late night: Open until 10 pm with talks and events.
• Duration: 1.5–2.5 hours.