The nation’s first purpose-built regional gallery was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in March 1977. Sitting opposite Civic Park, it’s an imposingly functional example of ’70s concrete brutalism.
'Black Totem II', one of only two large sculptures ever produced by the late Australian artist Brett Whiteley, stands 11m high in the Gallery forecourt, and John Olsen's ceiling painting 'The sea sun of 5 bells' (1964) is on permanent display inside.
The collection, founded on a 1945 bequest from a prominent Sydney doctor consisting of almost 200 major Australian paintings, now numbers more than 6,200 works. Highlights include art by Newcastle-born William Dobell and John Olsen as well as Whiteley, Grace Cossington Smith, Indigenous art and Japanese ceramics.