The Art Gallery of New South Wales’s modern and contemporary collection is once again on display after a major reinstallation of the lower level two galleries where Pop to popism wowed audiences over the summer.

Presenting five vibrant exhibitions along with a new area dedicated to recent acquisitions, the modern and contemporary floor offers a range of fresh approaches to the interpretation and display of the Gallery’s collection of modern and contemporary art.

Conceived as both a showcase and studio space, the floor is characterised by experiment, energy, change and a questioning spirit.

Art Gallery of New South Wales Director Michael Brand said the Gallery’s modern and contemporary collection is testament to the Gallery’s long-standing commitment to collecting the art of its day and to the key place artists hold in the Gallery community.

“The Art Gallery of NSW currently displays the artwork of more than 140 contemporary artists working both here and overseas,” Brand said.

“This new series of exhibitions makes our collection more accessible to visitors, showcasing exceptional recent acquisitions by artists such as Colin McCahon, Grayson Perry and Fiona Hall.

“It seeks to open fresh sightlines through the collection, revealing unexpected connections between one artwork and another and from there to the world beyond,” Brand added.

Brand said the reopening of the modern and contemporary floor also speaks strongly to the future direction of the Gallery and what it is aiming to achieve with the Sydney Modern Project.

The Gallery’s Head Curator of International Art Justin Paton, who has led the reinstallation alongside a team of five curators, said the new exhibitions are a celebration of the range, strength and dynamism of the Gallery’s modern and contemporary art collection.

“Exploring this space, visitors will encounter over 300 works from the 20th and 21st centuries that are drawn almost entirely from the Gallery’s collection. From pivotal new acquisitions to collection favourites, the works on display reveal the richness of the Gallery’s holdings while offering fresh perspectives on the art of our time,” said Paton.

“Reflecting the energy, variety and questioning spirit of art since 1900, there are five very different exhibitions on the modern and contemporary floor, from a survey of protest art to an exhibition about colour to a presentation of Matisse’s Jazz. Together they offer an array of art that will warrant not just one visit but many,” Paton added.

More information on the exhibitions on the modern and contemporary floor