The NSW Art Gallery, a Great Sydney Museum

Six Reasons to Visit the Art Gallery of New South Wales

The NSW Art Gallery has an impressive collection of Australian and international art.

It is an attraction not be missed, whether you live in Sydney or you're there just for a short break. This Sydney museum is in the City, near the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Visit it. It will really nourish your mind, soul and body.

Here are 6 reasons to visit the Art Gallery of NSW:

1. Immerse yourself in culture
2. Learn something new
3. Sit back and enjoy great entertainment
4. Get your kids creative
5. Relax over a glass of wine or enjoy some good food
6. Shop for art

Reason #1 - Immerse Yourself in Culture at NSW Art Gallery

Here's what you can see:

At ground level - Australian Art, European and Asian art

The Australian art rooms are very rich with paintings, drawings, sculpture, prints, photography. Sidney Nolan, Margaret Preston, John Olsen, John Perceval are just four names that come to mind of the huge collection of works.

European art is well represented and covers works from 15th to 19th centuries. Here are some examples:

• paintings - you'll see names such as van Gogh, Rubens, Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro
• drawings - Paul Cezanne, Thomas Gainsborough, Ingres, Watteau
• sculptures - Rodin, Degas and many others

Asian art at this level includes mainly sculptures, worship figures and ceramics.

At lower level 1 - more Asian art

There's art from China, Japan, India, Indonesia and other south and south east Asian regions.

The Chinese and Japanese galleries exhibit ceramic, paintings, calligraphy, hanging scrolls, tomb figures, weapons, tools, models of houses or pavilions that bring to life centuries long gone.

They show life of ordinary people and life at imperial palaces, every day practices and ritual ceremonies. The beautiful collection of samurai swords are just amazing.

At lower level 2 - contemporary

You will find here contemporary art: paintings, collage, mixed media, photography, multimedia and international art of the 20^th and 21^st centuries.

At lower level 3 - Indigenous art

The NSW Art Gallery has a rich collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders works. The artists use natural materials such as pigments on bark, feathers, fur, human hair, shells to create amazing figures or artwork.

There is also great photography, sculpture, ceremonial objects, paintings.

Reason #2 - Learn Something New

There are free daily tours of the collections or exhibitions. Go to the information desk and ask when the next tour is on and what it is about.

There are also various courses and lectures that explain art, history, trends, techniques. You can broaden your horizons or roll your sleeves and acquire new skills by participating in workshops.

Reason #3 - Sit Back and Enjoy Great Entertainment

Listen to music and watch movies. The Art Gallery NSW organises concerts by students or accomplished artists. Some are free others need to be booked.

Watch classic movies or documentaries that are not easily available elsewhere. Become a connoisseur and get to see films made by famous world directors. The film theatre is on lower level 3 and the screenings are free.

Reason #4 - Get Your Kids Creative

There are a number of programs available, for various age groups, to keep your children engaged and provide them with information, stories, and performances.

Reason #5 - Relax and Enjoy Good Food

Relax over a glass of wine or enjoy some good food and great views of the Sydney Harbour. The restaurant at ground level and the cafe at lower level 1 have views of the Finger Wharf and Woolloomooloo Bay.

Reason #6 - Shop for Art

The NSW Art Gallery has a nice shop where you can buy art books, prints or posters, DVDs and art merchandise.

Where is the NSW Art Gallery?

This Sydney museum is in the Domain park. If you are not already in the City, the best way to get to the gallery is by cityrail. Get off at Wynyard or Martin Place, make your way to Macquarie Street, enter the Sydney Hospital precinct and walk through the beautiful Domain. Or get off at St James station, walk through Hyde Park and follow the Art Gallery Road that will take you to the museum.

It is open every day from 10 to 5, except Good Friday and Christmas. On Wednesdays it stays open late, till 9 in the evening.

The entry is free but some cultural activities may come at a price. Visit the museum's website www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au to get information about current exhibitions and all the great events that are on.

Like This Page?