Located on the south side of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra, the National Gallery of Australia houses the most valuable art collection in the country. Limited parking is available onsite, but we chose to park at Questacon, where a large carpark is available. This also means that you are close to other attractions in the area without needing to move your car.
Entry to the gallery is free, but you will need to get an entry ticket from the front counter. However, some special exhibitions may have an entry fees. If you have bags or coats you don’t want to carry around with you, self storage lockers are available free of charge.
The collection comprises over 155,000 works of art, including the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. With artwork from around the world, there is something here for everyone.
We enjoyed walking through the galleries, particularly the unique Indigenous section.
Aboriginal Message SticksTrucaninny, the last full-blood Tasmanian aboriginalGerman and Hungarian Silver and CrystalSacred Frog by YirawalaGija Country by Queenie McKenzieIndigenous Aboriginal Art on woodBlue Poles
For other places to visit in the Australian Capital Territory click here
Opened in 2008, the National Portrait Gallery houses portraits of prominent Australians who are important in their field of endeavour or whose life sets them apart as an individual of long-term public interest.
Located next o the High Court of Australia and across the road from the National Gallery of Australia, it’s easy to find. We parked at the Questacon Car Park, because we intended to see other attractions in the area. This is a paid car park, but there are usually spaces available, and it’s centrally located. Parking is available at the National Gallery, but this fills quickly.
On entering the gallery, you are met by the sculpture Geo Face Distributor, popularly known as the orange blob. Apparently you can see different faces depending on how you look at it, but we could only see a blob.
Walking around the galleries, we could identify many of the portraits, without reading the descriptions. Obvious Government officials (Quentin Bryce the Governor General) and Justice Michael Kirby were present, but not walls full of ex-Prime Ministers, which we were pleased about.
It was great to see actors like Deborah Mailman, Hugh Jackman and Ruth Cracknell along with cricketer Shane Warne. Important indigenous leaders like Pat Dodson and Richard Walley were also present.
What Did We Think?
This was an interesting gallery to visit because of the variety of people represented. Entry is free, unless you want to go to any special exhibits that are on. After finishing, we went next door to the National Gallery of Australia.
Geo Face Distributor by James Angus (popularly the giant orange blob)Photographic PortraitsChrissy Amphlett by Ivan DurrantRuth Cracknell by Rosemary ValadonDeborah Mailman by Evert PloegQuentin Bryce by Michael ZavrosPatrick Dodson by Zhou XiaopingRichard Walley by Julie DowlingJustice Michael Kirby by Ralph HeimansNell by Abbey McCullochHugh Jackman by Vincent Fantauzzo
For other places to visit in the Australian Capital Territory click here
The Visitor Information Centre contains displays of local produce, like wines and a help desk. The help desk can provide you with information on local events, places to go and accommodation.
Past the help desk, the art gallery contains two galleries which host rotating displays by local artists.
Entrance to the Cultural CentreInside the Visitor Information CentreThe Cotter by Marcia Rea
We Are Singleton: Portrait of a Town by Edwina Richards
Edwina Richards’ photographic study of the people of Singleton is displayed in the main gallery. The portraits show the life of everyday people, celebrating the diverse identity of Singleton in 2022.
This display leaves the gallery on 8 May 2022.
We Are Singleton: Portrait of a Town by Edwina RichardsWe Are Singleton: Portrait of a Town by Edwina Richards
Mapping Wanaruah / Wonnarua by Debbie Becker
We really enjoyed the exhibition by Debbie Becker, not only because of the style, but because the art depicts local culture. Places like the fig tree meeting place, events such as bushfires and historically important events such as the Myall Creek Massacre are included.
Debbie’s work is on display until 8 May 2022, so you will need to be quick to see it.
Myall Creek Massacre by Debbie BeckerFig Tree Meeting Place by Debbie BeckerThe Big Dry on Country (Fire) by Debbie BeckerBringing Them Home by Debbie BeckerMapping Wanaruah / Wonnarua by Debbie BeckerOld Man Dreaming by Debbie BeckerBush Blooms Dreaming by Debbie Becker
