11 Unmissable Exhibitions To See In 2024!

24th Biennale of Sydney: Ten Thousand Suns
March 9 – June 10 2024

Since its inception in 1973, The Biennale of Sydney has become one of the top biennials in the world. This year, the contemporary art event will draw inspiration from histories of queer resistance and First Nations stories, sharing art from leading local creatives of Tracey Moffatt and Doreen Chapman, in addition to an impressively long list of international artists.

The cultural extravaganza is free and will take over six iconic locations, with a display on the sails of the Sydney Opera House and inside the heritage-listed White Bay Power Station — which is opening its doors for the first time in more than a century!

NGV Triennial 2023
On now, until April 7 2024
National Gallery of Victoria

The National Gallery of Victoria’s Triennial is always iconic. People still talk about the immersive and boundary-pushing installations from past editions (remember the Yayoi Kusama flower room?) and this year’s exhibition features more than 120 contemporary artists, architects, designers, and collectives from around the world.

Where else can you see works by Yoko Ono, Tracey Emin, David Shrigley, Tyler Mitchell, and Maison Schiaparelli in one place? During summer, you can even explore the gallery until 11pm for their after-hours program of DJ sets, talks, and performances. But the best part is, it’s all free to attend!

Emily Kam Ngwarray
On now, until April 28 2024
National Gallery of Australia

In case you missed the opening last year, there’s still time to see the National Gallery of Australia’s spectacular survey exhibition on Anmatyerr artist Emily Kam Ngwarray. It wasn’t until the last decade of her life that Emily began painting, but today, she’s known as one of the most significant contemporary artists of the 20th century.

Learn about her legacy, culture, and community as you wander through the epic showcase.

The Archibald Prize 2024
June 8 – September 8 2024
Art Gallery of New South Wales

Every year we look forward to Australia’s oldest portrait award, the Archibald Prize. After hundreds of entries by some of Australia’s best emerging and established artists are whittled down to a shortlist, AGNSW reveals the best ones in an exhibition full of famous faces, local heroes, and important figures! The winning artist takes home $100,000, but The Packing Room Prize (as awarded by the gallery staff who receive, unpack and hang the entries) is also highly anticipated.

18th Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art: Inner Sanctum
March 1 – June 2 2024
Art Gallery of South Australia

As part of the Adelaide Festival, this year’s Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art is diving into one of life’s most complex topics: the human condition. Curated by José Da Silva, the showcase unfolds across exhibitions, performances and talks that focus on our internal worlds — considering how art can help us better understand society, and each other.

Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA)
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
June 22 2024 – January 2025

The Telstra NATSIAAs are Australia’s richest art awards, which were originally founded in 1984. Held at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, it’s also one of Darwin’s biggest annual events, drawing visitors to Larrakia Country for an inspiring celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from all over the country.

Plan a trip for August to be there when the prestigious event dishes out an impressive $190,000 in total prize money and explore an exhibition of the winning artworks.

Leonardo da Vinci: 500 Years Of Genius
From March 16 2024
THE LUME

If you haven’t been to THE LUME yet, the digital art gallery’s next experience is going to be an epic spectacle. Dedicated to exploring his life’s work, Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius will bring masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper to life as sweeping projections across the 3000 square metre space!

Vincent Namatjira: Australia in Colour
March 2 – July 21 2024
National Gallery of Australia

Vincent Namatjira is one of Australia’s most exciting artists, famous for his paintings that capture a satirical look at the politics of history, power, and leadership from a contemporary Aboriginal perspective.

Now the travelling survey exhibition, Vincent Namatjira: Australia in Colour is heading to Canberra. See his award-winning portraits (often featuring Vincent himself beside beloved heroes like Adam Goodes, or infamous leaders like Donald Trump), and a special selection of works by the artist’s great-grandfather, acclaimed Western Arranda artist Albert Namatjira.

The 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT11)
November 30 2024 – April 27 2025
Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art

Brisbane’s riverside gallery QAGOMA is set to host The 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art in November. The flagship exhibition is all about reflecting the region’s social and cultural diversity, revealing 70 projects by more than 200 creatives from throughout Australia, Asia, and the Pacific.

With live performances, public discussions, cinema programs and projects for young visitors to enjoy, it’s well worth the visit to the Sunshine State.

Melbourne Winter Masterpieces 2024: Pharaoh
June 14 – October 6 2024
National Gallery of Victoria

This internationally-exclusive blockbuster showcase celebrates 3000 years of ancient Egyptian art and culture.

More than 500 works will travel to Melbourne from the British Museum, including monumental sculpture, tomb and temple architecture, coffins, and works commissioned by famous kings and queens, including Tutankhamun. Whether you’re a fan of mythology, history, or just love art, the fascinating exhibition is something to look forward to when Melbourne winter kicks in.

Cutting Through Time
May 18 – July 28 2024
Geelong Gallery

This exhibition exploring the beautiful art of printmaking explores the influence of Japanese woodblock prints (known as Ukiyo-e) on two of Australia’s most significant female artists: Cressida Campbell and Margaret Preston.

See a selection of prized Japanese Ukiyo-e prints from the late 18th to mid-19th centuries alongside Cressida and Margaret’s intricate works, on show only at Victoria’s Geelong Gallery.