This October, the National Gallery celebrates 40 years since the opening of its iconic building with a dynamic program of art and events.
From a futurist opera by multidisciplinary Australian artist Justene Williams to a new addition to the Gallery’s Sculpture Garden in the form of a figurative bronze sculpture by internationally renowned British artist Tracey Emin, the Gallery commemorates its 40th year with a dedicated artistic program in Kamberri/Canberra throughout the month of October.
Following the announcement that the Gallery has commissioned leading Australian artist Lindy Lee to conceive her first immersive public sculpture, the National Gallery continues to celebrate with a range of new acquisitions, exhibitions, collection displays, events and stories produced exclusively for its 40th anniversary.
The National Gallery 40th Anniversary Program invites audiences to look back on the past four decades and forward to the next, as the Gallery sets out to share the collection in new ways and widen the appreciation of arts in this country and beyond.
National Gallery Director Dr Nick Mitzevich reflects on the past, present and future of the national institution. Over the last four decades, the National Gallery has become a site of connection,” he said.
“It’s now a receptacle of art, community interaction and ideas, of debate and discourse, a place where we might question or challenge history and where we can debate the big issues of the day.”
I feel very proud that the National Gallery was built as a site to house the national collection and has become so much more than that; I see it as a gathering place that creates opportunities to share art and knowledge, here on Ngunnawal and Ngambri country,” said Mitzevich
For more information about the National Gallery’s 40th Anniversary Program, visit: www.nga.gov.au for details.
Image: Justene Williams, Strong Woman from Victory over the Sun (performance documentation), 2016, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2021 © Justene Williams. Image courtesy of the artist and Sarah Cottier Gallery, Gadigal Nura/Sydney.