Dangerously Modern Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890–1940

Dangerously Modern: Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890–1940 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales

Explore the art and lives of 50 trailblazing women artists

Dangerously Modern Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890–1940

11 October 2025 – 15 February 2026

Art Gallery of New South Wales

Naala Nura building

Lower level 2

Charges apply

At the turn of the 20th century, an unprecedented wave of women artists prevailed against social constraints and left Australia to pursue international professional careers.

This is the first major exhibition to focus on the vital role of these Australian women in the emergence of international modernism, including the now-famous, such as Nora Heysen, Margaret Preston and Grace Cossington Smith, as well as the still under-recognised, such as Agnes Goodsir, Justine Kong Sing and Helen Stewart.

Featuring celebrated and rediscovered paintings, prints, drawings, sculpture and ceramics, Dangerously Modern: Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890–1940 reclaims the place of these pivotal Australian women artists, recognising their contribution to the development of European art. They brought new ideas back to Australia and played an integral, often unrecognised role in modernising our nation. 

With more than 200 works, Dangerously Modern expands our understanding of modern art movements, including realism, impressionism, post-impressionism, cubism and abstraction.  The works in this show challenge preexisting notions of ambition and success, and explore colour, light, form and movement.

‘Dangerously Modern is a beautiful, thought-provoking exhibition and it pulsates with unapologetic female energy. It is must viewing.’

★★★★★ – ArtsHub

Watch, listen, read

Watch

Conserving Eleanor

A recently discovered work by Eleanor Ritchie Harrison, painted over 130 years ago, is restored to its former glory for the Dangerously Modern exhibition.

Two nude women resting on a riverbank with a bridge in the background.

Read

Living dangerously

Intrepid and innovative, the Australian women artists who travelled to Europe at the turn of the 20th century cultivated an art which was vital and ‘dangerously’ modern, writes Elle Freak, Tracey Lock and Wayne Tunnicliffe.

Watch

Dangerously Modern

Discover how a generation of trailblazing Australian women reshaped modern art on the world stage.

Artists

CL Allport, Jean Appleton, Cristina Asquith Baker, Eva Benson, Dorrit Black, Elise Blumann, Stella Bowen, Ethel Carrick, Evelyn Chapman, Mary Cockburn Mercer, Ola Cohn, Edith Collier, Grace Cossington Smith, Grace Crowley, Janet Cumbrae Stewart, Anne Dangar, Bessie Davidson, Bernice Edwell, Florence Fuller, Bessie Gibson, Agnes Goodsir, Nora Heysen, Frances Hodgkins, Justine Kong Sing, Eleonore Lange, Stella Lewis Marks, Daphne Mayo, Eileen Mayo, Dora Meeson, Josephine Müntz-Adams, Bess Norriss Tait, Kathleen O’Connor, Dora Ohlfsen, Margaret Preston, Thea Proctor, Iso Rae, Alison Rehfisch, Gladys Reynell, Eleanor Ritchie Harrison, Hilda Rix Nicholas, Florence Rodway, Maud Sherwood, Norah Simpson, Ethel Spowers, Helen Stewart, Eveline Syme, Violet Teague, Jessie Traill, Barbara Tribe, Marie Tuck
Visit information and accessibility
- Bring your own device to access the free audio guide in the exhibition. Don’t forget earbuds or headphones to listen.
- Free aids for visitors with low vision and colour vision deficiency are available for loan, including magnifying lenses and EnChroma glasses.
- For more information about visiting, including physical access and facilities, see Plan your visit
Children’s trail
Our Children’s trail is packed with fun activities and is available in the gallery and online.
Exhibition entry is free for children under 12 years.
- Download Dangerously Modern children's trail
  
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Dangerously Modern range

Shop prints, accessories and homewares inspired by the exhibition

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Two visitors stand in front of a portrait of a woman, observing the artwork in a gallery setting.

Installation view of Dangerously Modern: Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890–1940, featuring Hilda Rix Nicholas Une Australienne (An Australian) 1926, National Gallery of Australia, purchased 2014 © Bronwyn Wright

A still-life painting of fruit, crockery, a knife and stamped and addressed envelopes on a table

Alison Rehfisch Oranges and lemons c1934, Art Gallery of New South Wales © Estate of Alison Rehfisch

Visitors look at artworks displayed on colourful walls, with sculptures on plinths and ceramics arranged throughout the gallery.

Installation view of Dangerously Modern: Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890–1940

A person with dark centre-parted hair seated in a chair

Grace Crowley Miss Gwen Ridley 1930, Art Gallery of South Australia © Reproduced with permission of Grace Crowley Estate

A child sits on the floor of a room next to a chair, table and window with a desk and paintings in the background

Bessie Davidson An interior c1920, Art Gallery of South Australia © Estate of Bessie Davidson

Two visitors stand in front of a painting, observing the artwork in a gallery setting.

Installation view of Dangerously Modern: Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890–1940

Gladys Reynell Pensiveness c1913, Art Gallery of South Australia © Estate of Gladys Reynell

A village with thatch-roofed buildings and a few people in the street

Margaret Preston A view of the Irish coast 1914, Art Gallery of New South Wales © Margaret Rose Preston Estate / Copyright Agency

Installation view of Dangerously Modern: Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890–1940, featuring Helen Stewart Portrait of a woman in red 1930s, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa © estate of the artist

A person sits at a table with a cigarette and a cup and saucer

Agnes Goodsir Girl with cigarette c1925, Bendigo Art Gallery

Self-portrait of a young woman with brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a brown jacket and blue jumper

Nora Heysen Self portrait 1934–35, National Portrait Gallery © Lou Klepac

Hilda Rix Nicholas The pink scarf 1913, Art Gallery of South Australia © Bronwyn Wright

Portrait of a boy in a blue shirt with a country village in the background.

Edith Collier Boy against landscape 1914–15, Collection of the Edith Collier Trust, in the permanent care of Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery © The Edith Collier Trust

Visitors look at artworks displayed on colourful walls, with ceramics arranged throughout the gallery.

Installation view of Dangerously Modern: Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890–1940

Cubist-style painting of an arched harbour bridge over water, with trees and buildings in the foreground

Dorrit Black The Bridge 1930, Art Gallery of South Australia

Note: This display includes works that are protected under the Protection of Cultural Objects on Loan Act 2013. More information

The Art Gallery of New South Wales gratefully acknowledges the support of principal patron Liz Gibson, major exhibition patron The Howarth Foundation, and exhibition patrons Anne and Andrew Cherry, Maria Craig, Rowena Danziger AM, Amanda Harkness and Karen Barrett, Georgie Taylor and The WeirAnderson Foundation.