Art Gallery of NSW Members

Where will you travel in 2026 and beyond? ✈️

Explore the world with us in this series of travel talks presented by experts in art, culture and history.

🌿 Be captivated by the unique garden landscapes and bustling bazaars of Sri Lanka
🏺 Immerse yourself in everyday life in Ancient Egypt
🏛️ Trace architectural legacies across Scandinavia

Whatever your interest, these enchanting destinations will capture your imagination and inspire you to plan your next adventure.

📆 18 July – 1 August 2026
⏰ 2–3pm
🎟️ Book now via https://bit.ly/4eixMx0

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Images: Ruwanweliseya Stupa, Anuradhapura; Aerial view of Sigiriya mountain on the island of Sri Lanka, photo: iStock; Image: Abu Simbel Temple, Egypt, photo: Shutterstock; Image: Utzon Center in Denmark, Scandinavia, photo: Alamy

✏️ This Monday marked the first session of the three-workshop series 'Drawing the portrait' with artist Jessica Ashton ().

Pencils were put to paper as participants began learning how to build a portrait from observation, breaking down the complexities of the face into shape, structure and tone.

🔗 Find out more about our upcoming workshops, lectures and events via agnsw.art/member-events

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Images: Drawing the portrait workshop at the Art Gallery of New South Wales

'Avatar: Forms of Vishnu' is opening this Saturday 🎉

Explore centuries of art and storytelling from South and Southeast Asia in this captivating exhibition celebrating the many avatars of Vishnu, the Hindu deity who preserves order in the universe.

Featuring more than 200 works from international collections alongside contemporary artists, 'Avatar' offers a rare opportunity to experience the richness and diversity of these enduring stories.

🎟️ Champion and Inspire members enjoy free exhibition access as part of their regular member benefits! Connect members can also enjoy free entry by redeeming one of their two annual complimentary tickets, if still available to redeem.

Avatar: Forms of Vishnu
🗓️ 20 June – 5 October 2026
📍 Naala Badu building, Lower level 2
🔗 Book tickets now via https://bit.ly/4eprpqe

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Images: Central India ​'Kurma Avatar' 18th century,​ 'Folio from a series depicting Vishnu's avatars'​, Museum of Art and Photography, Bengaluru; Central India ​'Kurma Avatar' 18th century,​ 'Folio from a series depicting Vishnu's avatars'​, Museum of Art and Photography, Bengaluru

✏️ Build your drawing skills with artist and educator Elinor Pickard.

In this four-week workshop series, explore the fundamentals of drawing through guided exercises, demonstrations and inspiration from works in the Art Gallery collection.

Experiment with graphite, charcoal and coloured pencils while developing confidence with line, shape, tone and composition.

All materials provided.

📅 Tuesdays 21 July – 11 August 2026
⏰ 10.30am–1.30pm
🔗 Book now via https://bit.ly/3SCNYjZ

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Images: Drawing fundamentals workshop at the Art Gallery of New South Wales

🧵 One place remaining

Following the success of last year's tour, 'Cultural Weaving: Indian Textile Art', we are returning to Gujarat in November 2026 with textile specialist and author Joyce Morgan.

Meet master craftspeople, discover centuries-old textile traditions and explore the stories, skills and cultural influences woven through Gujarat's rich artistic heritage.

📍 Gujarat, India
📆 26 November – 10 December 2026
🔗 One place remaining — book now via https://bit.ly/3M0FKMe

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are open to anyone who appreciates the best of travel.

Images: Kutch embroidery, Gujarat, India, photo: Alamy; Fabric painting (Mata ni Pachhedi) workshop, photo courtesy Pravin Dangera; Mir beadwork workshop, photo courtesy Pravin Dangera; Banni grasslands lunch, photo courtesy Pravin Dangera

Get ready for the next Art Bus tour through Surry Hills, Waterloo and Zetland 🚌

Spend the afternoon exploring Sydney’s contemporary art scene with visits to Darren Knight Gallery, Sullivan+Strumpf, PALAS and Velvet Lobster, featuring exhibitions by Maria Kontis, Marion Abraham, Nick Collerson and Joel Arthur.

From Australian modernism and memory to philosophy and the landscape, encounter some of the most compelling artists working today.

📆 Friday 3 July 2026
⏰ 10am–1pm
🎟️ Book now via https://bit.ly/4vC5Gm2

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Image: Joel Arthur 'Garden Path' 2026 (detail), © the artist

Explore the stories behind 'Avatar: Forms of Vishnu' in this special in conversation event with exhibition curator Melanie Eastburn and artist David Sequeira. 🎤

Discover the many forms of Vishnu, one of Hinduism’s most significant deities, through the key artworks, ideas and themes featured in this expansive exhibition.

Learn how the exhibition came together and why Vishnu’s avatars have remained a compelling subject for artists across time and cultures.

📆 Saturday 4 July 2026
⏰ 10.30am–12pm
🔗 Book now via https://bit.ly/4g6kLYv

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Image: India, Raghogarh style 'Sita offering fruits to Rāma in the Dandaka forest' late 1700s (detail), National Museum, New Delhi

Make the most of the long weekend with a visit to the ‘Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2026’ 🏛️

Experience this year’s finalists and winners across portraiture, landscape painting and contemporary sculpture in Australia’s most anticipated annual exhibition of art.

📆 On until 16 August 2026
📍 Naala Nura building, lower level 2

Complimentary tickets to major exhibitions are now an ongoing part of the Champion, Inspire and Connect membership experience 🎉

Not a member yet? Join now to enjoy member benefits!

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Images: Visitors to the 'Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2026' exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, photo: Anna Hay