Join us in the Gallery with acclaimed Australian artist Ben Quilty and director Yvette Dal Pozzo speaking together amongst the permanent collection.

 
Celebrating over forty years of exhibitions, Collection in focus features over 100 works from the Gallery’s permanent collection. This exciting presentation features work by Southern-Highlands based artist Ben Quilty. Quilty’s practice has been highlighted in past Gallery exhibitions including the solo exhibition A Convergence of Birds (2011) and group exhibition Hot Rods (2016). The artist’s work forms an enduring part of the Gallery’s history and cultural memory. Amongst his many accolades as an artist, Quilty is also a passionate supporter of artists and arts workers broadly and a leading voice in advocating for the important role of regional galleries.

 
Quilty has been a finalist in the prestigious Wynne and Archibald Prizes – winning the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize in 2009 and the Archibald Prize in 2011 with his portrait of artist, Margaret Olley. In 2011, Quilty travelled to Afghanistan as an official war artist with The Australian War Memorial. The artist was invited by World Vision Australia to travel to Greece, Serbia and Lebanon with author, Richard Flanagan, to witness firsthand the international refugee crisis in 2016. Quilty’s work has been featured in major solo and group exhibitions nationally and internationally. His work is represented in numerous major public, corporate and private collections including the National Gallery of Australia, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery of South Australia and the National Gallery of Victoria.

With a collection built gradually and thoughtfully through nurturing relationships with artist from near and far, we’re delighted to invite you on this trip down memory lane, and a glimpse toward the future. If you’re an artist or lover of art, passionate about our region, or an all-round curious supporter of the arts and humanities, this is the program for you.

 
We'll be serving a light afternoon tea and all are welcome. And, yes, we will be exhibiting the Torana.