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

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The National 4 Australian Art Now

The upper bodies of various people in different postures

Pierre Mukeba The last supper and the sheges 2022–23 © the artist

A celebration of contemporary Australian art

The National 4 Australian Art Now

24 March – 23 July 2023

Art Gallery of New South Wales

South Building

Brett Whiteley Studio, Surry Hills

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This is the fourth edition of a biennial survey of contemporary Australian art, showcasing work made across the country by artists of different generations and cultural backgrounds.

The National 4 is a partnership between four of Sydney’s leading cultural institutions: the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Carriageworks and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.

Staged concurrently at the four venues, the 2023 edition is curated by Beatrice Gralton at the Art Gallery of New South Wales; Emily Rolfe at Campbelltown Arts Centre; Freja Carmichael and Aarna Fitzgerald Hanley at Carriageworks; and Jane Devery at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.

At the Art Gallery of New South Wales, works are displayed on the ground level and lower level 2 of our historic South Building as well as at the Brett Whiteley Studio in Surry Hills.

A smiley face and raised arm overpainted on a rock in a landscape

Abdul Abdullah Connections 2023 © the artist

A black-and-white photography of the head, neck and upper shoulders of a young person

Brenda L Croft Tristan (Dharawal/Yuin) from the series Naabami (thou shall/will see): Barangaroo (army of me) 2019–22 © the artist

A grid of four squares. One is black. Three show red dirt. Two of those have a hand on the dirt.

Robert Fielding Milpatjunanyi 2022 (still, detail) © the artist

An abstract image that includes a human figure and ribbon-like forms

Madeleine Kelly Pelican analogues 2023 © the artist

A face within a black circle surrounded by circular patterns and on top of a comb-like form

Glen Mackie (Kei Kalak) with Theo Tremblay Kei Aka Kudin 2023 © the artist

A bright blue sculpture of interlocking abstract shapes on a small wedge-shaped plinth

Nabilah Nordin Palace 2023 © the artist, photo: Simon Strong

A child wearing a t-shirt with the Aboriginal flag. In the background, people sit beside a fence

Thea Anamara Perkins Shimmer 1 2021 © the artist

A group of people, one of whom holds a small Australian flag

Reko Rennie What Do We Want? 2022 (production still) © the artist

Bands of five thin horizontal parallel lines in grey on a white background with three connected circles on top in orange, pink and pale lilac

David Sequeira Song for gentleness 2020 © the artist

A room with two sculptures of standing figures and three sculptures of swans

View of Heather B Swann's Hobart studio in 2021 featuring works from the series Leda and the Swan 2018–23, photo: Peter Whyte

A curled-up nude figure

Natasha Walsh The gaze (self-portrait after Klimt) 2021 © the artist

Square ceramic titles on which two ceramic oval discs read 'Chaos reigns' and 'In every dream home a heartache'

Gerry Wedd Where Are We Now? (Where are we now?) 2022–23 (detail) © the artist, photo: Grant Hancock

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

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