We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of New South Wales stands.

Brett Whiteley Inside the Studio

Brett Whiteley Self portrait in the studio 1976. Art Gallery of New South Wales © Wendy Whiteley

Brett Whiteley Self portrait in the studio 1976, Art Gallery of New South Wales © Wendy Whiteley / Copyright Agency

A fascinating insight into the studio practice of one of Australia’s most gifted and revered artists

Drawn from the collections of the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Brett Whiteley Studio, this exhibition presents a selection of Brett Whiteley’s works across various media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, collage, ceramics and a tapestry.

Iconic paintings, such as The balcony 2 1975 and Self portrait in the studio 1976, will be displayed alongside lesser known but equally important early abstractions, works made in London and New York in the 1960s, and works from Whiteley’s final series, Paris Regard de Côté.

Rarely seen archival photographs depicting Whiteley at work (and sometimes at play) in studios in London, New York and Sydney show some of the artworks in various stages of completion, offering a glimpse into his creative world.

A playlist of songs drawn from Whiteley’s vinyl record collection adds a lively soundtrack to the exhibition, highlighting the significant role that music played in his creative process. 

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program