Current Sydney Art Gallery Exhibitions
Atnwengerrp Revisited
From: May 20, 2017Until: Jun 12, 2017
Sacred, traditional, historical and ceremonial elements are interwoven in a dynamic family show featuring Barbara Weir, Charmaine Pwerle, Teresa Pula and Lizzie Pwerle. Barbara and her family continue to push boundaries, experimenting with different painting styles and techniques in this latest body of work.
To coincide with the exhibition, Barbara Weir, Lizzie Pwerle and Teresa Pula will be our artists in residence from 20 May until 4 June. Visitors to the gallery will have a unique opportunity to meet the artists, observe as they paint and discuss their art, culture, inspirations and incredible life stories.
Helen McCarthy Tyalmuty | Family Matters online exhibition
From: Apr 15, 2017
A sudden change in our exhibition schedule:
Unfortunately Helen McCarthy Tyalmuty is suffering from very poor health and has been unable to complete the new works that we were expecting for her upcoming show:
Helen McCarthy Tyalmuty | Family Matters | 15 April - 7 May
She persevered with it for some time but has had to return to Daly River to convalesce. In the coming months, she won't be painting.
Consequently, the show only contains works from our stockroom, of which we have many beautiful ones, as Helen was in the midst of a great surge of creative output earlier this year. Helen will not be able to be in Sydney for the scheduled Artist in Residence program this month.
We will of course keep you posted on Helen's progress & we do hope to see you in the gallery this month for what will be a beautiful yet bittersweet exhibition.
Lockhart River Mob: online exhibition
From: Mar 18, 2017
It is with great excitement that we introduce a new stable of artists to Kate Owen Gallery with our inaugural exhibition, Lockhart River Mob.
The artists come from Sandbeach Culture and Community; five distinct clan groups that live in one of the most precious natural environments on the east coast of Far North Queensland. Here you will find the healthiest section of the Great Barrier Reef, mangroves and river systems that pattern the coastal region, rainforest, red dirt roads and rock art.
In many of the artists' work you can see how they use their detailed and graphic knowledge of the local flora, fauna and landscape and interpret it as an aesthetic pattern; using line, tone and texture to create expressionistic and abstract works that convey the character and sense of their country, with an elevated sense of mood and emotion.
What is remarkable about this exhibition is the diversity of styles, and yet the artworks always circle back to the identity of Sandbeach community; intertwining art and tradition as a cultural and personal expression from the artists own unique perspectives.
Our third level Collectors' Gallery has been transformed with the exciting, confident and vigorous art from Lockhart River - make sure you visit us and experience these exceptional works from the five superstars of Lockhart River.
Journey Tracks | Tony Sorby - online exhibition
From: Feb 09, 2017
The first solo show by artist Tony Sorby at Kate Owen Gallery. An exquisite new body of work that express an intimate knowledge of Kamilaroi Country, gained from walking the journey tracks of his ancestors. Artworks will be on display in the charcoal gallery for the month of February.
From the Vault: online exhibition
From: Jan 06, 2017
Our 2017 exhibition schedule begins with an elite group of Indigenous Australian artists who inspired and defined what has become one of the most exciting art movements of the 20th Century and beyond.
The exhibition has a beautiful balance of works with strong iconography and incredible amount of mythological detail, as well as works that are extremely bold, free, expressive, abstract and experimental.
Make sure you visit the gallery in January to get up close and personal with some of the masters of Aboriginal art! Gallery open 10 - 6 every day
Gorgeous Gifts Under $1k - online exhibition
From: Nov 01, 2016
It's true what they say; an artwork is the gift that keeps on giving!
Whether you are a sophisticated art lover or just starting out, there is an abundance of affordable indigenous art to choose from at the Kate Owen Gallery.
black + white - online exhibition
From: Jun 24, 2016
A diverse exhibition of contemporary Indigenous artworks inspired by ancient Dreamings and the Australian landscape. Incorporating artworks produced by emerging and highly regarded artists, the exhibition offers a fascinating mix of technique, story and approach.
from the sand to the sails - online exhibition
From: Jun 21, 2016
As Gabriella Possum's art lights up the sails of the Sydney Opera House for Vivid 2016, Kate Owen Gallery will host a family group show; celebrating the three generations who have made a significant impact on the Indigenous art movement.
About Gabriella Possum:
When Gabriella was a little girl, her father and grandparents told her stories while sitting down, talking, singing and drawing in the sand in the middle of Australia's western desert.
The eldest daughter of one of the most famous Australian artists, Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri, Gabriella began painting at an early age. Her undeniable talent, distinctive bold colour choices and exciting compositions were evident from the very beginning and saw her being awarded the coveted Alice Springs Art Award at the tender age of 16.
Since then, her work has been exhibited in the USA and throughout Europe. Her work is held in many major collections including the National Gallery of Australia and her art hangs alongside her father's work at Buckingham Palace, England. Her impressive list of achievements now includes the 2016 Vivid Sydney Festival, which last year over 1.7 million people attended.
I feel very honoured to be selected for such an important event which includes such an important Australian building.
"I hope they like my paintings, they have gone from sand to canvas and now to the opera house, it's a clever way to show many people our culture."
APY Lands - online exhibition
From: Oct 03, 2015
Artists from this special part of Australia have become some of the best-known and most collectible Indigenous Artists in Australia. Experience a rich, diverse and energetic selection of works in our third level collectors' gallery. Artists Include: Tommy Watson, Jimmy Baker, Maringka Baker, Teresa Baker, Patricia Baker Tunkin, Sylvia Ken, Elaine Woods, Bronwyn Jimmy, Venita Woods, Jorna Newberry, Janice Woods, Wipana Jimmy, Julie Woods, Katrina Pollard Nampitjinpa, Kay Baker, Anne Dixon Nangala & Angela Watson
Minnie - online exhibition
From: Aug 10, 2015
An exquisite body of work by one of the all time great Aboriginal artists. Enjoy her strong, confident and immensely striking works in our third level collectors' gallery from 10 August to 5 September.
Ronnie - The Enduring Master - online exhibition
From: Apr 11, 2015
From a young boy living a traditional life, to the eve of his solo show at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Ronnie Tjampitjinpa has had an incredible life.
This month, Kate Owen Gallery is celebrating the career of Ronnie Tjampitjinpa, a leading Aboriginal painter and living legend of Papunya.
A Window to a Hidden Past - Jack Dale - online exhibition
From: Jan 10, 2015
"when us old fellas pass away our history and stories will be in my paintings" - Jack Dale, 2007
Jack Dale has a special place in the hearts of the KOG Crew. Back in 2013 we were thrilled to showcase Jack's latest body of work, and it was with a heavy heart that we learnt it was to be his last.
In this special tribute exhibition, Neil McLeod - one of Australia's leading photographers and researchers of Aboriginal culture, and long time friend of Jack Dale - will be showcasing his personal collection of Jack Dale's artwork.
Until now, the closest the public could get to Neil McLeod's significant collection was through reproductions in his book Jack Dale Mengenen (2010). But for a limited time, visitors to Kate Owen Gallery will have the opportunity to view and purchase an artist who is known as one of the greats from the Kimberley.
Jack Dale's artwork is a window to a hidden past and a doorway to a greater understanding of Indigenous Australian culture and history, a fact that makes his artwork highly collectible. They are important historical and cultural documents, which could equally hang in a fine art gallery or a museum, where their anthropological value is outstanding.
These paintings raise your interest and beg to be talked about and considered. Despite the sometimes grim subject matter, there is an enchanting and buoyant spirit in his art, just as there was in this resilient man.