Australian Art in the National Gallery of Australia

When the new National Gallery of Australia building was opened by The Queen on 12 October 1982, a National Collection of art of worldwide compass, great significance and aesthetic merit was revealed. The core collection of Australian art was complemented by impressive international collections which recognized both Australia's geographic location and the cultural influences from Europe and America to which that nation has been so receptive. Over the twenty years since then, the founding philosophy has been followed and aesthetic merit continues to be the standard. This twentieth-anniversary publication tells the story of the National Gallery of Australia and its National Collection, from the time of its 'inventing' to the present day. It is a unique story of constructing, literally from the ground up, its building, its staff and its collections. Through a series of essays the Gallery's story is told by authors who are, in effect, telling their own stories. The Gallery's three successive Directors, its curators and outside scholars provide insights across all areas of the Gallery's collection and display, with the aid of beautiful illustrations throughout.