Get your art fix this March! From architecture to pet portraiture Canberra has definitely delivered this month. Check out seven of our favourite exhibitions around town to add to your must-visit list this season.
Versailles: Treasures from the Palace
National Gallery of Australia
9 Dec 2016 – 17 Apr 2017
10am – 5pm
Versailles: Treasures from the Palace is exclusively on display at the National Gallery of Australia and it truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – offering a glimpse into the decadence of this period in French history.
The show-stopping exhibition embodies the opulence, luxury and beauty of such a central era – bringing to life the reign of three indulgent kings; Louis XIV, XV, XVI, their lovers and queens and arguably one of the most iconic individuals: Marie Antoinette.
The Sell: Australian Advertising 1790s to 1990s
National Library of Australia
23 Nov 2016 – 25 Apr 2017
10am – 5pm
Step back in time and experience the advertising tactics of Australia’s past. The Sell: Australian Advertising 1790s to 1990s showcases rich collections of Australian advertising and explores the messages behind many iconic and long forgotten ads.
Ephemeral by nature, often lasting in impact, advertising can reflect how much or just how little Australian society has changed over the centuries.
Iconic Australian Houses (pictured)
National Archives of Australia
26 Nov 2016 – 13 Mar 2017
9am – 5pm
The Architecture Foundation of Australia presents Iconic Australian Houses at the National Archives of Australia – an exhibition curated by Karen McCartney that explores the most significant Australian houses of the last 60 years and illustrates the way in which great design can enrich your lifestyle.
The exhibition delves into the design and construction of these important houses, as well as the intriguing stories of the architects and inhabitants, looking beyond just the physical structures.
The Designer With The Midas Touch
Royal Australian Mint
16 Dec 2016 – 30 Apr 2017
Weekdays: 8.30am – 5pm. Weekends and public holidays: 10am – 4pm
This historical exhibition is an exploration of Australian designer Stuart Devlin’s influence on 20th Century international art. Devlin is the man behind the iconic coins that are so uniquely Australian.
This eye-opening experience that recognises Australia’s unsung design hero, tells the story of Stuart’s life work from his design of Australia’s circulating currency, through to his appointment as jeweller and goldsmith to the Queen.
Digital Portraiture Award 2016
National Portrait Gallery
17 Dec 2016 – 9 Apr 2017
10am – 5pm
The Digital Portraiture Award supports the growth of digital portraiture, a distinct genre of digital art. This annual event extends traditional notions of portraiture and foster emerging artists with an interest in new technologies.
Frank Stella: The Kenneth Tyler exhibition
National Gallery of Australia
19 Nov 2016 – 30 Jun 2017
10am – 5pm.
Artist Frank Stella and master printer Kenneth Tyler played a significant role in the development of twentieth-century American printmaking. Collection showcases a selection of Stella’s adventurous and groundbreaking prints that earned him the reputation of an ‘unstoppable risk-taker’.
National Portrait Gallery
4 Nov 2016 – 13 Mar 2017
10am – 5pm
The Popular Pet Show expresses the joy and warmth that many of us derive from our animal companions. Comprising Australian paintings, many on a large scale, this exhibition includes portraits of famous and obscure Australians and their pets by contemporary artists.
