Contemporary art from Australia’s art collection will be showcased in a new gallery along the Lake Burley Griffin foreshore in Canberra.
The National Gallery of Australia’s new gallery, located in the former Gallery of Australian Design, serves as Canberra’s contemporary art museum.
The NGA Contemporary is expected to attract a younger audience interested in engaging with art and encourages visitors to photograph and share the art on digital and social platforms.
Despite having the country’s largest collection of Australian art, including contemporary art, the National Gallery of Australia only shows two per cent of its collection at its current building in Parkes Place. The NGA Contemporary – a short walk away – will provide visitors with increased access to the Gallery’s rich and diverse collection.
NGA Contemporary is a welcome addition to Canberra’s visual arts scene. This gallery joins Canberra’s other well visual arts gems like Megalo Print Studio + Gallery, the ANU School of Art, Canberra Contemporary Art Space, Canberra Museum and Gallery and the Canberra Glassworks.
The inaugural show includes popular collection highlights – Ron Mueck’s Pregnant woman, Patricia Piccinini’s Stags, current works by Dale Frank, Mike Parr, Fiona Hall and Bill Henson to name a few.
Future exhibitions will be more theme-based and curated by the National Gallery’s team of curators and others.
The NGA Contemporary opening complements the upcoming summer NGA blockbuster, James Turrell: a retrospective.