Think Australia’s harbour city is all about the golden sands and glistening bodies of water? Well you wouldn’t be far wrong, but that’s not to say Sydney’s only draw is her stunning natural beauty…
Though sister city Melbourne might have you believe differently, this looker also has some serious cultural cred, featuring a bevy of arty enclaves. So when the warm days dwindle and Bondi loses its (sun)shine, it’s time to explore Sydney’s creative side. St-art up at these six stars…
Go-to for an overview: Art Gallery of New South Wales
For Aussie art 101, there is, of course, no better place to begin than the Art Gallery Of New South Wales. Behind a grand columned facade, the collections cover everything from masterful 20th-century canvases by Sidney Nolan and Arthur Boyd, to contemporary pieces from the creme of current Indigenous talent. For a regional romp, don’t miss the standout Asian wing (worth a wander for the architecture alone) then lunch at locavore Chiswick at the Gallery.
Art Gallery Rd, Sydney. +61 2 9225 1700. artgallery.nsw.gov.au
Mod mainstay: Museum of Contemporary Art
With a permanent collection of on-the-pulse Oz and internationals, plus blockbuster exhibs by artists such as Jeff Koons, Yoko Ono and Grayson Perry, mosey over to quayside stunner the Museum of Contemporary Art. Get the most from your visit by downloading the free MCA app pre-arrival and don’t miss the rooftop sculpture terrace with breath snatching Opera House vistas.
140 George St, The Rocks, Sydney. +61 2 9245 2400, mca.com.au
Westside wonder: Carriageworks
Big guns not your bag? Then scoot over to the former Eveleigh Railway Yards and Carriageworks, where a gargantuan 19th-century industrial depot now showcases an ever-changing array of interdisciplinary exhibitions covering visual arts, dance, performance and film. The collab shows with Melbourne-based Anna Schwartz Gallery draw serious collectors, or at the Saturday morning Farmers Market you can furrow your brow at the prime fresh produce.
245 Wilson St, Eveleigh, Sydney. +61 2 8571 9099, carriageworks.com.au
All things avant: Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation
For a bevvy of boundary-pushing pieces there is no better option than Paddington player Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation. The brief of this private enterprise is to showcase global and local ‘visual practitioners’ with a bent towards innovation and technology. Programmes might feature film, intriguing installations or large-scale site-specific sculpture, plus a peaceful zen garden to decompress in.
16-20 Goodhope St, Paddington, Sydney. +61 2 9331 1112, sherman-scaf.org.au
(Time)capsule collection: Brett Whiteley Studio
Once the home and workplace of bad boy artist Brett Whiteley (who died of a heroin overdose in 1992 aged 53), today this Surry Hills space remains as an homage to the avant garde Archibald winner. A changing array of canvases, sketches and sculptures adorn a small showcase room, but equally enthralling is his turpentine-redolent studio, which stands just as he left it – cluttered with unfinished paintings, graffiti, easels and ephemera.
2 Raper St, Surry Hills, Sydney. +61 2 9225 1740, artgallery.nsw.gov.au
Asian sensation: White Rabbit Gallery
Spread over four storeys of a former Rolls Royce service station in Chippendale, Judith Neilson’s mass stash of impressive and important 21st-century Chinese paintings, sculpture and installations (representing more than 400 emerging and established artists) is truly one of Oz’s best art experiences. Just like the perfectly-displayed post-millennial pieces, it’s best to go against the flow – start at the top and work your way to the ground floor – then stop for dumplings and a chrysanthemum brew in the tranquil teahouse. That’s art hour done, Alice.
30 Balfour St, Chippendale, Sydney. +61 2 8399 2867. whiterabbitcollection.org
A version of this article originally appeared on lightfoottravel.com
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