Featuring more than 140 of her woodcut prints and woodblock paintings that span over her four-decade career, the National Gallery of Australia is giving guests an insight into the imagination and life of artist Cressida Campbell.

Her largest exhibition to date, the renowned colourist is known for her ability to blur the boundary between art and life through a blend of printmaking and painting.

Acquired to mark NGA’s 40th anniversary, Campbell’s woodblock painting Bedroom nocturne is considered a breakthrough moment in her practice. Created using a circular composition, the work offers an intimate night-time view of the bedroom she shares with her husband Warren Macris.

“In our 40th anniversary year, we are excited to not only showcase Cressida Campbell as our major summer exhibition, but to acquire one of her greatest works to date for the permanent collection. The National Gallery has been gifted Cressida’s woodblock painting Bedroom nocturne. This incredible work has come into the collection thanks to the generous support of Marilyn Darling AC and the Gordon Darling Australia Pacific Print Fund,” says Australian Prints and Drawings Curator, Dr Sabrina Noordhuis-Fairfax.

“Cressida Campbell is one of Australia’s most significant contemporary artists. Cressida has developed a unique approach to woodblock printmaking, which is as beautiful as it is idiosyncratic. This practice is drawn from years of study and experimentation, and melds painting and printmaking to document her home, her art, her life,” says Director, Nick Mitzevich.

With many of Campbell’s sought-after painted woodblocks and single-edition woodcut prints held in private collections, guests will have a rare chance to see works that have been off public display for decades.

The exhibition has also been accompanied by a generously illustrated catalogue created in collaboration with the artist that will offer new insights into her life and work, featuring research and writing from a range of curators, artists, poets and other voices.

While the exhibition is on display, there will be several events and activities relating to the artist’s work including a still-life drawing station, printmaking workshop, Grazing by the Garden light lunch and of course audio and guided tours.

Apart of NGA’s Know My Name project, Cressida Campbell is on display from 24 September 2022 to 19 February 2023. To book tickets, visit https://nga.gov.au/exhibitions/cressida-campbell/