The Art Gallery of South Australia is one of the most popular art galleries in Adelaide, South Australia and is home to over 45,000 works of art. The gallery has a lot of permanent artworks on display and is one of the most important places for temporary exhibitions. The collection includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, ceramics, glass, textiles, furniture and jewelry. Artworks in the gallery are organized by culture and medium, giving visitors cultural and historical context that helps them understand the artwork. Read on to learn more about this educational and beautiful art gallery in South Australia.
About the Art Gallery of South Australia
Established in 1881, the Art Gallery of South Australia was only two rooms large, inaugurated by Prince Albert Victor and Prince George. The current building where the gallery is located was built in the 1900s, after which the art gallery was expanded and became larger. The Art Gallery of South Australia is located on Cultural Boulevard in Adelaide and is one of the most prestigious visual arts museums in South Australia. With a collection of over 45,000 artworks created by world-renowned artists, this art gallery also claims to be Australia’s second largest art collection after the National Gallery of Victoria. One of the main aims of the Gallery is to give visitors and the South Australian community the opportunity to see and experience original high quality artworks created by some of the finest artists.
Place: North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia – 5000, Australia.
Art Gallery of South Australia Entry Fee: General admission to the exhibition is free. However, there may be a fee to visit and view specific exhibitions.
Art Gallery of South Australia hours: The art gallery is open on all days of the week from 10 am to 5 pm.
Art Gallery of South Australia Artifacts
Built in the Victorian style of architecture, the Art Gallery of South Australia is home to a collection of art dating back almost 2000 years. Among the various art collections you will see in the gallery you will find some fantastic Australian art, International art and Asian art.
1. Australian Art Collection
In the section where the Australian art collection is housed, you will find a survey that was conducted in the 1800s of what has been documented so far, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. Some other very famous artworks you will see in Australian collections are 19th century Australian Impressionist paintings, colonial silverware and even furniture. The 20th century modernist artwork collection includes famous artworks created by accomplished women artists and even works by South Australian artists. The Art Gallery of South Australia has become the first gallery to display artworks by an Aboriginal artist and is now one of the first to feature a mix of both traditional and contemporary art.
Highlights of the Australian Art Collection: Life of Stars by Lindy Lee, Kulata Tjuta created by Anangu artists.
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2. International Art Collection
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The international art collection exhibits North American and European art dating from the era of Ancient Rome to the present day. There are approximately three thousand European Old Master prints and paintings as well as two thousand decorative artworks, including twenty bronze sculptures by the famous modernist sculptor Auguste Rodin. Interestingly, the international art collection does not limit itself to any artistic or geographical boundaries and represents a well-rounded art collection from different countries as well as mediums, including sculptures and installations by emerging British artists, including Thomas Hirschhorn. Contains carefully crafted sculptures and paintings by. Shawn Scully.
Highlights of the International Art Collection: We are all flesh by Berlinde de Bruyère, Absence Embodied by Chiharu Shiota.
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3. Asian art
Among other art collections, the Asian Art Collection is one of the most recently added collections, which was started in the year 1904. The Asian art collection at the Art Gallery of South Australia includes pre-modern Japanese art, South East Asian art, Indian art and even artefacts from the Middle East. You will find sculptures made of stone, wood, bronze, ceramics, textiles, paintings as well as decorative arts made of lacquer and wire. The Asian art collection is also the gallery’s only collection that exhibits Islamic art.
Highlights of the Asian Art Collection: Various textiles by Indonesian artist, Eko Nugroho.
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Things to do at the Art Gallery of South Australia
If you are wondering what there is to do in this gallery in Australia, here is how you can use your time during your visit:
1. Network and Connect
The Gallery offers unique learning experiences for students and even teachers where a specially qualified ‘Learning Team’ delivers learning programs linked to the Australian Curriculum. Being a part of these programs will give you exposure to the Australian style of learning as these programs promote visual literacy, development of higher order thinking skills, lessons on Australia’s history and cultures, and even programs that allow you to learn about your own Help to find out. Creativity. If you are an art student, you have a great opportunity for networking with teachers and creators here.
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2. Art Gallery of South Australia Workshop
The Art Gallery of South Australia holds a number of informative workshops that visitors can take part in. You can also develop new skills, connect with some of the best artists and creators through these interactive workshops and seminars held at the gallery. If you think that there are workshops that only teach art, you will be glad to know that the gallery hosts some of the most interesting workshops that focus on the development of critical thinking among students and seminars on professional development. Those who are interested in art will love these workshops as they give you the opportunity to explore different painting techniques, contemporary sculpture, fashion illustration, anatomical drawing and life drawing.
3. Art Gallery of South Australia Research Library
If you like reading in the library, you will also love spending your time here. The Art Gallery of South Australia also continuously runs a number of research projects that cover things about the ownership history of the artworks displayed in the library. This rich research database helps to identify the historical, cultural, social and even economic background of the area where the artwork was created. This research library in the gallery gives visitors the chance to remember all the times the artwork has been brought to the table to the time it changed ownership and was purchased by another person. Visitors can also find a list giving all the details about the sculptures and paintings, this list is also updated regularly.
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Things to keep in mind while visiting the Art Gallery of South Australia
You have to be careful when you are visiting a gallery or museum. Here’s what you should keep in mind:
- Smoking or carrying food and beverages is not allowed inside the gallery.
- Do not carry very large bags or backpacks and even umbrellas. If you are bringing any, you can leave them in the free cloakroom located at the main entrances.
- Don’t touch the artifacts.
- Taking photographs using only hand-held devices (mobile phones) is permitted and may be taken for personal use only. Some parts of the gallery do not even allow this.
- Commercial photography, use of additional lighting, tripods or other filming equipment is not permitted. Filming is not allowed inside the gallery without prior permission.
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The Art Gallery of South Australia is worth visiting at least once when you are in South Australia, especially if you are interested in different art styles from around the world. When are you booking your trip to Australia to visit this hub of art and knowledge?
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