The Art Gallery of NSW has one of the finest collections of Asian art in Australia displayed in the beautiful Asian galleries, opened in 2003.

The exhibition One hundred flowers is a selection of works that have been added to the Gallery’s Asian collection over the last five years. Covering many centuries, the wide selection of art on show represents high points of artistic expression across countries and cultures as diverse and distant as Tibet and Indonesia.

Outstanding among the displays is a stunning 13th-century Nepalese gilt bronze figure of Padmapani, recently acquired with the assistance of many generous donors. Other gilt bronzes on display also exemplify the quality and spirituality attained by Himalayan metal craftsmen. From India is a selection of exquisite miniature paintings, vibrant textiles and finely embroidered blouses (choli) worn by royal women of Kutch in Gujarat province.

Numerous textiles feature in the Southeast Asian and Chinese display, with rank badges from the Chinese and Vietnamese courts, as well as a large Chinese Qing dynasty (1644–1911) red silk brocade coffin cover. The unmatched Chinese tradition of ceramics is represented with both traditional and contemporary examples. Other classical Chinese works provide insights into the great Chinese traditions of calligraphy and landscape painting.

Superb Japanese folding screens, including a pair with scenes from the beloved literary classic The Tale of Genji, are included as are exceptional examples of lacquerware by contemporary master UNRYŬAN Kitamura Tatsuo.

The exhibition is a delightful array of fine and intriguing works of art of different media and from different cultural contexts. The Art Gallery of NSW is indebted to the many donors who have enabled the Asian collection to be so enriched.

Exhibition talks

In association with the exhibition One hundred flowers, Jackie Menzies, head curator Asian art, presents two exhibition talks, on 19 & 26 October 5.30pm, as part of the Gallery’s Art After Hours program.