Nolan: Origins at Art Gallery of New South Wales

3 October 2026 - 7 February 2027

Experience the astounding creativity and poetic power of Sidney Nolan’s art in
this in-depth exhibiton of the artist’s formative years in Australia. From
indelible visions of the outlaw Ned Kelly, to epic portrayals of Central
Australia, Nolan redefined perceptions of place and nation in Australia’s
cultural imagination.

Including his infamous series of paintings on bushranger Ned Kelly (1946–47),
the exhibition brings together around 100 major works produced before Nolan
relocated to the United Kingdom in 1953 – years in which he forged a
reputation as one of this country’s most distinctive modernist artists.

Nolan: Origins examines the artist’s engagement with the places he painted as
he evolved his singular, enigmatic visual language, including St Kilda,
Wimmera, K’gari (also known as Fraser Island), Central Australia and the
landscapes of Ned Kelly’s story in north-eastern Victoria. The exhibition also
tells of how Nolan interrogated the idea of ‘Australia’, invoking a sense of
place through myths, histories, people and creatures imbued with his own
personal inner meanings.

The exhibition is open in Naala Nura, (original, sandstone building). Enter
the building, and make your way to the entrance of the exhibition on Lower
Level Two.

Bundle with an Australian Art Stories Tour or lunch at Crafted by Matt Moran
or MOD Dining for the most immersive experience at Art Gallery of New South
Wales.

Opening Hours: Daily 10.00am - 5.00pm, and Wednesdays until 10pm.

Travel for good: The Art Gallery of New South Wales is a not-for-profit
organisation. Proceeds from tours go towards supporting our aim to make art
accessible for all through our ambitious exhibitions and programs

Images: _ _Sidney Nolan Ned Kelly 1946, National Gallery of Australia © The
Trustees of the Sidney Nolan Trust/DACS/Copyright Agency, Sidney Nolan Self-
portrait 1943, Art Gallery of New South Wales © The Trustees of the Sidney
Nolan Trust/DACS/Copyright Agency, Sidney Nolan Pretty Polly mine 1948, Art
Gallery of New South Wales © The Trustees of the Sidney Nolan
Trust/DACS/Copyright Agency; Visitors to Naala Nura building at Art Gallery
New South Wales © Art Gallery New South Wales, photographer Anna Kucera