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Nolan: Origins

Name: Nolan: Origins
Start: 2026-10-03
End: 2027-02-07
Location: NSW

Nolan: Origins is a major exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW showcasing the work of significant Australian modernist artist Sidney Nolan. The event marks the first time in six decades that all 27 paintings from Nolan's iconic Ned Kelly series have been reunited in a single location.

Date: Oct 3, 2026 - Feb 7, 2027
Location: NSW
Status: Starts today

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Event summary

Highlights

First reunion of the 27-painting Ned Kelly series in 60 years
Works depicting K'gari (Fraser Island) and the Kimberley region
Spans the artist's career from the late 1930s to 1953

The exhibition covers a pivotal period in Nolan's career, spanning from the late 1930s to 1953. While the Ned Kelly series—mostly on loan from the National Gallery of Australia—serves as the centerpiece, the collection also explores Nolan's broader engagement with Australian history and landscapes. Featured works include depictions of K'gari (Fraser Island), the Kimberley region, and the artist's time living at the property now known as the Heide Museum of Modern Art.

Curated by Denise Mimmocchi, the show examines themes of colonialism and what is described as a "sense of unease" regarding Australian identity. The collection brings together national treasures that illustrate the mythology of the Australian bush, presenting Nolan’s attempts to define his connection to the land through aesthetically diverse modernist paintings.

Practical details

Location described by the source: Art Gallery of NSW; www.corowafreepress.com.au
Area for browsing nearby events: NSW

Before attending

Check the sources below for current opening times, admission prices and registration requirements. A date range does not mean the event runs continuously or that admission is free.