Art Gallery of New South Wales
Art Gallery of New South Wales
We are delighted to welcome Art Gallery of New South Wales as a participant of the WanBel global project.
The Art Gallery of New South Wales has played a pioneering role in presenting the art of Papua New Guinea to Australian and international audiences.
Its legacy includes the renowned Stanley Gordon Moriarty collection, major acquisitions championed by Tony and Margaret Tuckson, and landmark exhibitions that have introduced both historic works and contemporary masters such as Mathias Kauage.
From the influential Melanesian Art exhibition in 1966 to more recent displays of rare and significant objects, the Gallery has consistently highlighted the depth and diversity of Papua New Guinea’s artistic traditions. This history reflects not only a commitment to preserving cultural heritage but also an enduring engagement with innovation and contemporary voices, ensuring PNG’s creative achievements continue to resonate across generations.
“The Art Gallery of New South Wales has a rich connection to Papua New Guinea and has collected art from across its regions since 1962. The Art Gallery is thrilled to participate in Wan Bel to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea's independence through our current exhibition High Colour and a special Art AfterHours evening featuring Australian–Niuginian music, talks, performance and hands-on activities” Wayne Tunnicliffe, acting director of collections, AGNSW
High Colour
31 May 2025 – 9 August 2026
Naala Nura building
High Colour is an immersive exploration of local and global Indigenous perspectives on colour.
Inspired by Richard Bell’s 2012 work Colour theory, the exhibition considers the role of colour in creating contemporary interpretations of Indigeneity, as well as the use of colour as a form of categorisation.
High Colour brings together First Nations artists belonging to or working in Australia, the Great Ocean region, and North America. For these artists, colour is identity, belonging, history and inheritance.
This is the first exhibition that considers the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ rich First Nations collection within global Indigenous curatorial discourse.
Significant recent acquisitions from the Art Gallery’s collection feature alongside newly commissioned works, including aute (barkcloth) by Indigenous youth at Frank Baxter Youth Justice Centre, made through the Art Gallery’s Djamu Youth Justice Program with artist Nikau Hindin (Ngāpuhi/Te Rarawa/Ngai Tūpoto).
To find out more click on the link below
https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/high-colour/