Past exhibitions

What makes Americans American?

See the art that defined a nation in the most ambitious survey of American painting ever seen in Australia.

With many masterpieces shown here for the first time, the exhibition brings together over 90 works from major artists, such as James Whistler, Edward Hopper, Mark Rothko, Georgia O’Keeffe and Jackson Pollock.

Encounter the epic stories and dark chapters in American history, the sublime poetry and drama of the land, the ambition and optimism of the country’s pioneers, and the challenges of the frontier. Share the intimacy of family life and the gritty realism of the modern metropolis in this vivid account of the American experience.

With all-American theme nights, a huge Thanksgiving party, a greasy spoon diner, kids’ activities, films, boot scootin’, live bluegrass, hands-on workshops, pop-up bar and so much more, the Gallery turns red, white and blue. Join us as we breathe life into history and celebrate the good, the bad and the ugly in American culture, food and politics.

This exhibition is in collaboration with Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Terra Foundation for American Art.

Part of the Sydney International Art Series, bringing the world’s most outstanding exhibitions to Australia.

Image details: Henry Inman No-Tin (Wind), a Chippewa Chief 1832–33, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of the 2008 Collectors Committee, photo: Museum Associates/LACMA. Thomas Moran Grand Canyon of the Colorado River 1892–1908, Philadelphia Museum of Art, gift of Graeme Lorimer, 1975. Edward Hicks Penn’s treaty with the Indians 1830–40, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, The Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Alice C Simkins in memory of Alice N Hanszen. Georgia O’Keeffe Horse’s skull with pink rose 1931, Los Angeles County Museum of Art © Museum Associates/LACMA. Jackson Pollock No 22 1950, Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Albert M Greenfield and Elizabeth M Greenfield Collection, 1974 © Jackson Pollock. ARS, Licensed by Viscopy