Past exhibitions 2008

The discovery of these 6th-century stone Buddhist sculptures at the site of a long-destroyed temple in China is considered an archaeological find on par with the First Emperor’s terracotta warriors.

This extraordinary installation explores states of flux and emergence and the way knowledge is perceived.

Inspired by the title of the late Kevin Gilbert’s award-winning book, this exhibition from the Gallery’s collection reveals contemporary experiences of living Black in 21st-century Australia

The first display of a major gift to the Gallery’s collection from the artist’s daughter, including Dutch scenes, British WWI homefront images and examples of Mortimer’s refined techniques.

The most respected award for drawing in Australia, the annual Dobell Prize brings the remarkable drawing talents of Australian artists into the public domain.

Showcases Otto Dix’s war portfolio Der krieg 1924, regarded as one of the great masterpieces of 20th-century printmaking.

Melbourne-based artist Kate Beynon presents a new series of paintings in which she explores ideas of transcultural identity and the ‘global citizen’.

An annual exhibition of children’s art from schools throughout NSW created for the Children’s Hospital, Westmead.

The 2008 Biennale of Sydney, under the artistic direction of internationally renowned curator Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, investigates revolutions – forms that turn.

It was Judy Cassab’s experience of Central Australia in the late 1950s that first made her feel fully at home in this country after emigrating to Sydney from Europe.

Cazneaux was a pioneering photographer whose aesthetic style and impressive output had an indelible impact on the development of photographic history in this country.

Explores the impact of the simultaneous clash and embrace of modernity and tradition on arts and design in Japan of the Greater Taisho period (1900–1930).

Bill Viola is internationally recognised as one of the most important artists working in video today. This work is part of a series inspired by Wagner’s opera Tristan and Isolde.

Adam Cullen is a unique figure in contemporary Australian art. His often satirical works are a form of social allegory, a confronting and incisive view of contemporary life.

The most prolific and the most eclectic artists of the 20th century are unknown photographers. This exhibition draws from a number of collections of discarded amateur photographs.

Renowned for his pioneering work in panoramic and landscape photography, Charles Bayliss is considered a leading figure in Australia’s photographic heritage.

A selection of Jan Senbergs’ screenprints which reflect his fascination with technology and help trace his evolution into a remarkable, idiosyncratic and admired draughtsman and painter.

This annual exhibition is one of the most popular in Australia and often one of its most controversial.

Drawing from collections throughout Australia, both public and private, this exhibition surveys the major schools of Indian painting, highlighting the rich interactions that inspired each tradition.

Reveals the prolific talents of a quiet observer whose photomedia continues to have a profound effect on Australia’s contemporary representation and comprehension of Indigenous Australia.

A dynamic and popular exhibition featuring a selection of outstanding student artworks developed for the artmaking component of the HSC examination in Visual Arts, 2007.

Queensland artist Scott Redford drags art history into popular culture, using the materials that create surfboards he produces monochromatic paintings, some embellished with images.

In these photographs and DVD Morimura recreates memorable postwar incidents as reported through press photography, playing all the roles himself in each restaged event.

A National Gallery of Victoria touring exhibition drawing upon material from the NGV’s important collection of Asian art, in particular Chinese paintings.

The first major retrospective of Nolan’s work since his death in 1992 presents a selection of his most important masterpieces of landscape, Ned Kelly and other themes of Australian and European history.

August Sander (1876-1964) is one of the 20th century’s greatest photographers. His life’s work was producing an 'atlas’ documenting contemporary German people.

This display celebrates the anniversary of the London premiere of the Royal Ballet’s Rite of spring with a selection of photographs taken by Axel Poignant during rehearsals.

A major retrospective from the National Gallery of Victoria pays tribute to the renowned Tiwi artist Kitty Kantilla (Kutuwalumi Purawarrumpatu).