Art Gallery of South Australia

The Art Gallery of South Australia, located in Adelaide, is a premier destination for art lovers and is revered for its extensive collection that spans across centuries and continents. With a reputation built upon its significant holdings of Australian, European, North American, and Asian art, the gallery is a pivotal cultural beacon in Australia.

The gallery’s long-term reputation is anchored by its classical collections, which encompass European old masters, modernists, and an impressive assembly of Australian art from the colonial period to the present. It is celebrated for its decorative arts collection, including English ceramics and furniture that provide a window into the historical tastes and social history of the periods they represent.

Significantly, the Art Gallery of South Australia has made considerable efforts to represent the breadth and depth of Indigenous Australian art. It is renowned for its collection of Australian Aboriginal paintings, which is one of the most comprehensive in the country. These collections not only showcase the rich artistic traditions of the Aboriginal peoples but also serve as a testament to the gallery’s commitment to elevating and celebrating the profound cultural heritage of Australia’s First Nations.

In addition to its permanent collections, the gallery frequently hosts special exhibitions that spotlight Aboriginal art, ranging from ancient traditions to contemporary movements. These exhibitions often feature works by prominent Aboriginal artists and aim to provide insight into the spiritual and cultural significance of their artistry, which is deeply connected to the land and Dreamtime stories.

Visitors to the gallery can expect to find a harmonious blend of the historical and the contemporary, with exhibitions carefully curated to reflect the dynamic nature of art and its ability to bridge the past with the present. The Art Gallery of South Australia thus serves not only as a custodian of art history but also as a live platform for cultural dialogue and appreciation, particularly in its celebration of the richness of Australian Aboriginal paintings.

North Terrace
Adelaide
Open: Daily 10-5
First Friday of the month, 10-9
Ph: (08) 8207 7000