Masterpiece exhibition opens in Ballarat

Tuesday, 4 October 2011

The Art Gallery of Ballarat tonight officially opened its latest exciting exhibition, Australian Modern Masterpieces from the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

The exhibition brings to Victoria 40 of the most important 20th century Australian paintings from the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and provides a unique insight into the history of Australian modern art from the 1920s to the 1970s.

Featuring works by artists including Margaret Olley and John Brack, Grace Cossington Smith, Sidney Nolan and Brett Whiteley, the exhibition enables visitors to explore the work of some of Australia's most celebrated artists across seven decades. At the same time it presents a survey of what was happening in Australian art during a critical period of our nation's history – from the end of the First World War to the arrival of the VCR.

The exhibition also includes 20 works from Ballarat's own permanent collection, highlighting the strength and depth of the gallery's extensive collection. It provides a real insight into the history of modern art in Australia, and it is a real coup for Ballarat and the gallery.

The Art Gallery of Ballarat plays a key role in local cultural life and is a significant drawcard for visitors to the region. Last month, the Victorian Government announced a $20,000 boost in investment in the gallery, with a total of $140,000 in funding through the new Regional Partnerships program.

The Art Gallery of Ballarat is one of Australia's oldest and largest regional galleries with a collection that spans 125 years. I can think of no better place to stage this important exhibition, than right here in Ballarat.

This important exhibition is a boon for local art lovers and if anyone needed another reason to visit this beautiful part of our state, this is it.

Australian Modern Masterpieces from the Art Gallery of New South Wales is open daily at the Art Gallery of Ballarat until Sunday 27 November 2011.