- Address: Parkes Pl, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia;
- Website: nga.gov.au;
- Phone: +61 2 6240 6411;
- Open: from 10 to 17 hours;
- Entrance fee: free, non-permanent exhibitions - paid (from 50 to 100 dollars)
The main art gallery in Australia and at the same time the most interesting museum of the country is the National Gallery, located in Canberra .
Long path of the gallery
The year of foundation of the gallery is 1967, although its history begins much earlier, at the beginning of the XX century. The ideological inspirer of the Australian landmark was the famous artist Tom Roberts, who proposed to organize a museum that preserves the art of the indigenous population and settled at different times of Europeans, portraits of rulers, prominent politicians who made a significant contribution to the formation and development of the state.
The first exhibits of the collection were placed in the halls of the old house of the Government of Australia, so the lack of funding and war prevented the building of a separate building. Only in 1965 the state authorities returned to the discussion of the question of the construction of the gallery-museum, from that time the officials sought funds for the implementation of the plan. The construction of the National Gallery of Australia began in 1973 and continued for almost a decade. By 1982, the building was commissioned, at the same time, the opening ceremony of the National Gallery of Australia was held, led by Elizabeth II - the Queen of Great Britain.
Exterior view
The area occupied by the gallery is 23 thousand square meters. The building is made in the style of brutalism. Here you can see the sculptural garden, the building itself is distinguished by its angular shapes, textured concrete, unusual tropical plants. An interesting find of the designers of the gallery is its external appearance, since the building is not plastered, has no cladding and the most usual painting. Most recently, the walls inside the gallery were paneled.
All about the National Gallery of Australia
The main floor of the National Gallery of Australia is replete with halls in which collections are displayed showing achievements in the art of Aboriginal art of the continent, Europeans and Americans that have influenced the development of the country.
Perhaps, the most valuable hall of the National Gallery can be called the "Aboriginal Memorial". Here are 200 painted logs that served as markers for the burial of ancient Australians. The memorial glorifies the indigenous population, which did not spare itself and defended the land from the invasion of foreigners in the period from 1788 to 1988.
Art, leaked to Australia from Europe and America, is represented by the works of famous artists: Paul Cezanne, Claude Monet, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol and many others.
On the lower floor of the gallery there is an exhibition of Asian art, originating in the Neolithic period and ending with modernity. Most of the exhibits are sculptures, miniatures of engraving on wood, ceramics, textiles.
The top floor of the National Gallery is especially loved by local residents, because it contains items of Australian art, dating from the times of the continent's settlement by Europeans until the end of the 20th century. Exhibits of the collection were paintings, sculptures, objects of everyday life and interior, photographs. Today, the number of works stored in the National Gallery of Australia, has exceeded 120,000 copies.
Helpful information
The doors of the National Gallery of Australia are open daily, except on December 25, between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. Visiting the permanent exposition of the museum is free. A ticket for one of the temporary exhibitions, which are often held here, will be about 50 -100 dollars.
How to get to the sights?
Find the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra is very simple. It is adjacent to the no less famous National Portrait Gallery and the National Library . To get to the place is most convenient on foot. Leaving the central part of the city, move along the Commonwealth Avenue and in less than half an hour you will be on the spot.
Another way - to order a taxi, which in less time will take you to the goal. Lovers of unhurried walks can take a ferry alongside the Commonwealth Park. Walking will take an hour, and after stopping the ferry you will only have to walk a couple of hundred meters to the gallery.
In addition, you can rent a car and drive yourself by specifying the coordinates: 35 ° 18'1 "S, 149 ° 8'12" E. Next to the gallery there is a ground and underground parking, which are open until 18:00 hours absolutely free of charge. It is a pity that the car can not be left for more than three hours.
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