We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Collection notes

Focused, in-depth examinations of key works in the Gallery’s collection, including images, a curatorial essay and issues for discussion.

Dadang Christanto: They give evidence

Focus on the installation work They give evidence 1996-97 by Indonesian/Australian artist Dadang Christanto. Includes issues for consideration.

Available as PDFs

Allan Sekula, Making sense (PDF 299.7 KB)

In association with the exhibition Making sense: contemporary LA photo artists. Focuses on two photographs by Allan Sekula: Mother and premature baby, Kassel 2006–07 and Large and small disasters (Islas Cies and Bueu 12/20/02) from the series Black tide/Marea negra 2002–03. Includes issues for consideration and suggestions for further reading.

Petrina Hicks, Shenae and Jade (PDF 141.3 KB)

Focus on the photograph Shenae and Jade 2005 by Australian photographer Petrina Hicks. This work is included in the exhibition What’s in a face? aspects of portrait photography. Includes issues for consideration and suggestions for further reading.

La Per (PDF 1.5 MB)

An illustrated essay in conjunction with the exhibition La Per. Includes photographs by Peter Yanada McKenzie.

Master artists of Arnhem Land (PDF 525.9 KB)

In association with the reopening of the Grand Courts in September 2009. Focuses on six key artworks from the Gallery’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait collection.

Printmaking in the age of Romanticism (PDF 2.1 MB)

An examination of the collection exhibition Printmaking in the age of Romanticism, 6 August – 25 October 2009, focusing on HSC English Extension 1 Elective, Romanticism. Includes curator’s introduction, artwork images and commentaries, selected references and questions to consider while viewing the exhibition and questions relating to the exhibition to the study of print texts.

Tim Johnson (PDF 4.8 MB)

An examination of the nine-panel artwork Lotus born 2006, by the Australian contemporary artist Tim Johnson (b 1947). Includes background information, issues for consideration, sources and further reading.

Montien Boonma (PDF 857.5 KB)

An examination of the artwork Untitled: two acts II 1996 by the Thai artist Montien Boonma (1953–2000). Also examines two other works by Montien Boonma in the collection: Benediction No.2 1991 and Perfumed paintings and stools 1995-97. Includes issues for consideration, sources and further reading.

Living Black (PDF 1004.8 KB)

Focus on the exhibition Living Black, from the Gallery’s collection. Features works by Eubena Nampitjin, Rusty Peters, Daniel Boyd and Brenda L Croft. Includes essay, issues for discussion, sources and further reading.

Adam Cullen (PDF 920.6 KB)

In conjunction with the exhibition Adam Cullen: Lets get lost. Investigates key works: Lets get lost, Anything I say or do and Australian Saints. Includes essay, issues for consideration, sources and further reading.

August Sander (PDF 259.2 KB)

Investigating key artworks in the Gallery: Maler (Anton Raederscheidt), Field with marguerites and Universitätsgebäude (university building). Includes issues for consideration, sources and further reading.

Howard Arkley: Superb + Solid (PDF 223.1 KB)

Focus on the major work Superb + Solid 1998 by Australian artist Howard Arkley (1951-99). Includes essay, issues for discussion, sources and further reading.

Brett Whiteley: Alchemy (PDF 1.8 MB)

Focus on the major work Alchemy 1972-73 by Australian artist Brett Whiteley. Includes essay, quotes, sources and further reading, issues for discussion and A4 panels of the complete work.

Collecting and exhibiting contemporary Asian art (PDF 1.3 MB)

This case study is part of a series developed from the short course Case Studies: Asia and the Contemporary World, designed for secondary Visual Arts teachers and held at the Art Gallery of NSW in August 2004. Over four weeks of lectures by curators, artists and educators, several unifying themes emerged relating to the collecting and exhibiting of contemporary Asian art. These themes became the framing questions for this case study, which is supported in the Key Resources section by edited lecture transcripts and articles.