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Past Exhibitions - Main Gallery

The Main Gallery hosts several major exhibitions a year, including travelling exhibitions. 

Scroll down to view our past Main Gallery exhibitions dating back to 2018. 

2021 Past Exhibitions

  • Capturing Nature: Early photography at the Australian Museum 1857-1893

    31 October 2020 – 31 January 2021

    In Capturing Nature, we travel back to a time when photography was revolutionising science, art and society.
     
    These never-before-seen images dating from 1857 to 1893 have been printed from the Australian Museum’s collection of glass plate negatives and are some of Australia’s earliest natural history photographs. Sitting at the nexus of science and art, they tell both the story of pioneering research as well as the advent of photography in the young colony less than 20 years after the birth of photography in Europe.

    old white and black picture of a man showing the skeleton of the fin of a whale
    Image: Capturing Nature promotional material. Image on the promotional material: Sperm Whale flipper, Megaptera longimana. Photography by Australian Museum.

  • Stencil Art prize

    6 February – 2 May 2021

    Edgy, political, cheeky and pop-culture inspired, The Stencil Art Prize features 55 finalists from around the globe; from photo-realist stencils with dozens of layers, to intricate hand-cut stencils on delicate paper, this biennial exhibition is the world’s largest touring stencil prize and is the authority on all things ‘stencil art’.
     
    Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2019, the Prize is a snapshot of the grassroots stencil art form that has undergone resurgence in recent decades and is now thriving. The Stencil Art Prize community of international finalists push the boundaries of the ‘stencil definition’ utilising a diverse range of techniques, materials and technology.

    Have a look at Stencil Art prize: Curator and Artist Q&A blog entry.
     

    Educational Resources

    This educational resource was created for the 2019 Stencil Art Prize which was exhibited at Hurstville Museum & Gallery from 6 February – 2 May 2021. It is designed to assist Visual Art and Visual Design teachers and students from Years 7 – 12. The images and suggested activities are to be used together with relevant syllabus documents and teaching resources, and should be used as a guide for teachers, adjusting activities to suit the needs of their students.

    Each case study includes images and a description of the exhibited work, and a Q&A with the artist discussing their artmaking practice, methods and materials. Accompanying each artist case study is a series of activities through which students may analyse and interpret works, and apply their understanding to their own artmaking practice.

    In addition, a number of selected works have been chosen for further study and investigation with images and questions included. This resource supports the Australian Curriculum and NSW Syllabus outcomes for Visual Arts for Years 7 – 12. Content has been designed with reference to the four frames and the Conceptual Framework.

    Click on the thumbnail below to view the educational resource.


    Image: Vivian Messimeris, Woman of Kobane #19

    View a virtual tour of the exhibition on at Hurstville Museum & Gallery below. 

  • Striving for Gold: Olympians of St. George

    8 May – 18 July 2021

    In the lead up to the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games, Striving for Gold: Olympians of St. George portrays Olympians of the St George area. Their stories and memorabilia provide a personal insight into past Olympic Games, reflecting on social and sporting history from the early 1900s to present day.

    white and black picture of three ladies holding trophies
    Image: The Australian women’s track relay team with their gold medals at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne. From left: Fleur Mellor, Norma Croker, Betty Cuthbert and Shirley Strickland. NAA: A1200, L45369.

  • Georges River Art Prize 2021

    13 November 2021 - 20 January 2022

    The Georges River Art Prize is a biennial art prize that provides an opportunity for artists from all over Australia to display their best work. There are categories for painting and sculptural work, children and youth, and local artists. The Georges River Art Prize is hosted by Hurstville Museum & Gallery and the Clive James Library and Service Centre, Kogarah.

    For further information, visit our page dedicated to Georges River Art prize
     

    Blog entries for each winner

     

    Educational resources

    Gallery at Home, exploring the Painting, Sculpture, Youth and Little artist prize.

    Click on the thumbnail below to view the educational resource.

    Image of text Gallery at home, opening PDF resource        Image of text Gallery at home, opening PDF resource   

     

    Explore the 2021 Georges River Art Prize virtual experience

2020 Past Exhibitions

  • 2019 Georges River Art Prize

    25 October 2019 - 30 January 2020

    The Georges River Art Prize is a biennial art prize that provides an opportunity for artists from all over Australia to display their best work. There are categories for painting and sculptural work, children and youth, and local artists. The Georges River Art Prize is hosted by Hurstville Museum & Gallery and the Clive James Library and Service Centre, Kogarah.

    For further information, visit our page dedicated to Georges River Art prize

    Have a look at the blog posts dedicated to the artists: 

     

    Educational Resources 

    This educational resource has been designed to accompany the 2019 Georges River Art Prize exhibition, on display at Hurstville Museum & Gallery from October 25 2019 – January 30 2020.

    This resource introduces the Georges River Art Prize exhibition, focusing on the work of nine finalists, including both emerging and established artists, providing insight into the artmaking practice of each artist through individual case studies.

    Each case study includes images and a description of the exhibited work, a Q&A with the artist discussing their artmaking practice, methods and materials, and images documenting their artmaking process. Accompanying each artist case study is a series of activities through which students may analyse and interpret works, and apply their understanding to their own artmaking practice.

    This resource supports the Australian Curriculum and NSW Syllabus outcomes for Visual Arts for years 7-10. Content has been designed with reference to the four frames and the Conceptual Framework.

    Click on the thumbnail below to view the educational resource.

    Artwork by Helen Amanatiadis, The golden scroll - weaving of several materials and Beech plywood, Tasmanian Oak and brass  Artwork by Simon Collins, Carss Park, bathed - oil painting on panel of Carss Park  Artwork by Merran Esson, Autumn - ceramic objects representing European trees planted  throughout the Monaro area of New South Wales  Artwork by Julia Flanagan, Everything I own - painted timber construction with colourful patters and varying shapes
    Artwork by Talitha Hanna, Model for a Civil War - foam board, plaster, gesso, modelling wire  Artwork by Geoff Harvey, Sooty owl - wood, metal and found objects  Artwork by Geoff Harvey, Sooty owl - wood, metal and found objects  Artwork by Thomas Pearson, Systole & diastole - two red and blue blown glass objects
    Artwork by Sally West, The site - oil painting on canvas
  • Many Story Tree House

    8 February – 3 May 2020

    This exhibition showcases the original illustrations, sketches and layouts of the phenomenal Treehouse series, written by Andy Griffiths and illustrated by Terry Denton. 

    drawing of a treehouse in white, green and red colours
    Image: Cover illustration, The 13 Storey Treehouse written by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Terry Denton, published by Pan Macmillan, 2011.

  • Artbomb: connect + create

    9 June – 26 July 2020

    Artbomb: connect + create brings together local artists, our local community and Hurstville Museum & Gallery in a slow-release explosion of creativity and artistic expression. This exhibition provides a unique opportunity to meet and collaborate with artists as they work within our space. Come in and reconnect. 

    photo of the main gallery space with artworks on the walls
    Image: Artbomb exhibition at Hurstville Museum and Gallery. Photo courtesy of Hurstville Museum and Gallery. 

  • USE: Contemporary jewellery and small objects

    1 August – 25 October 2020

    USE is a new exhibition of contemporary jewellery and small objects, exploring the impact of ‘tools’ in artisan practice, developed by the Jewellers and Metalsmiths Group of Queensland. Selected artists: Helen Bird, Jac Dyson, Lois Hayes, Catherine Hunter, Alicia Lane, Catherine Large, Samuel Lintern, Andy Lowrie, Nellie Peoples, Clare Poppi, Kierra- Jay Power, Paola Raggo, Elizabeth Shaw, Katie Stormonth, Rebecca Ward, Helen Wyatt, and Xiaohui Yang.

    light blue earings
    Image Art Studio Waste: Reusing Broken Tools (Saw Blades), Brooch and Green Earrings (left to right), Paola Raggo, 2017/18. Sterling silver, resin, broken saw blades, 55 x 90 x 15mm and 75 x 38 x 11mm (left to right). Photograph by Michelle Bowden, Visuall Photography.

  • Capturing Nature: Early photography at the Australian Museum 1857-1893

    31 October 2020 – 31 January 2021

    In Capturing Nature, we travel back to a time when photography was revolutionising science, art and society.
     
    These never-before-seen images dating from 1857 to 1893 have been printed from the Australian Museum’s collection of glass plate negatives and are some of Australia’s earliest natural history photographs. Sitting at the nexus of science and art, they tell both the story of pioneering research as well as the advent of photography in the young colony less than 20 years after the birth of photography in Europe.

    White and black picture of a white marble sculpture of a hand holding a rose
    Image: Capturing Nature promotional material. Image on the promotional material: Sperm Whale flipper, Megaptera longimana. Photography by Australian Museum.

2019 Past Exhibitions 

  • Keep in touch

    20 October 2018 – 27 January 2019

    Since the introduction of the Internet and smart phones, communicating with each other has never been easier or more instantaneous. This exhibition takes you back to the world of analogue communication and showcases the development of information and communication services in the St George region. Explore old writing equipment, telephones and radios and see how things have changed over time.

    main gallery space exhibition with wood plinths  main gallery space exhibition with wood plinths
    Images: room shots of the exhibition space. Photo courtesy of Hurstville Museum and Gallery. 

  • Beyond the bowl

    2 February – 18 April 2019

    Beyond the bowl explores and celebrates the diversity and aesthetics of contemporary ceramics and glass, showcasing the works of Julie Bartholomew, Alexandra Chambers, Cobi Cockburn, Matthew Curtis, Merran Esson, Honor Freeman, Anita Larkin, Eloise Rankine, Kirstie Rea and Emma Varga. These artists push the boundaries as to what can be achieved when working with glass or clay.
     

    Educational resources

    A free educational resource for high school students is available to accompany the exhibition Beyond the Bowl, which was exhibited at Hurstville Museum & Gallery from 2 February – 18 April 2019.

    Case studies and fact sheets focus on the ten artists featured in Beyond the bowl and their artistic practice, giving insight into how they develop and create their works.These resources are designed to assist Visual Art and Visual Design teachers and students from Years 7 – 12, highlighting key syllabus-linked discussion questions. 

    Hurstville Museum & Gallery would like to thank Heather Davidson, Visual Arts teacher at Macquarie Fields High School, for her guidance and assistance developing these resources.

    Click on the thumbnail below to view the educational resource.

    Artist Case Study - Julie-BartholomewArtist Case Study - Alexandra ChambersArtist Case Study - Merran EssonArtist Case Study - Anita LarkinArtist Reference Sheet - Cobi CockburnArtist Reference Sheet - Eloise RankineArtist Reference Sheet - Kirstie ReaStudio Snapshot - Matthew CurtisStudio Snapshot - Emma Varga

  • Kanalaritja: an unbroken string

    3 May - 14 July 2019

    An exhibition celebrating the unique practice of Tasmanian Aboriginal shell stringing – past, present and future. 

    shell necklace
    Image: Shell necklace. Artist: Ashlee Murray. King marina.

  • School days

    20 July – 6 October 2019

    School days invites you to connect with your school experiences while exploring stories and objects from early school days to more recent times. Do you remember the sound of children playing in the school yard, the smell of old textbooks, the feel of your school uniform or the taste of a vegemite sandwich? Immerse yourself in hands-on activities and discover the history of local schools. 

    white and black picture of two girls walking on the street
    Image: School children at Hurstville railway station, c. 1940. Georges River Libraries Local Studies collection.

  • 2019 Georges River Art prize

    25 October 2019 - 30 January 2020

    The Georges River Art Prize is a biennial art prize that provides an opportunity for artists from all over Australia to display their best work. There are categories for painting and sculptural work, children and youth, and local artists. The Georges River Art Prize is hosted by Hurstville Museum & Gallery and the Clive James Library and Service Centre, Kogarah.

    For further information, visit our page dedicated to Georges River Art prize

    Have a look at the blog posts dedicated to the artists: 

     

    Educational Resources 

    This educational resource has been designed to accompany the 2019 Georges River Art Prize exhibition, on display at Hurstville Museum & Gallery from October 25 2019 – January 30 2020.

    This resource introduces the Georges River Art Prize exhibition, focusing on the work of nine finalists, including both emerging and established artists, providing insight into the artmaking practice of each artist through individual case studies.

    Each case study includes images and a description of the exhibited work, a Q&A with the artist discussing their artmaking practice, methods and materials, and images documenting their artmaking process. Accompanying each artist case study is a series of activities through which students may analyse and interpret works, and apply their understanding to their own artmaking practice.

    This resource supports the Australian Curriculum and NSW Syllabus outcomes for Visual Arts for years 7-10. Content has been designed with reference to the four frames and the Conceptual Framework.

    Click on the thumbnail below to view the educational resource.

    Artwork by Helen Amanatiadis, The golden scroll - weaving of several materials and Beech plywood, Tasmanian Oak and brass  Artwork by Simon Collins, Carss Park, bathed - oil painting on panel of Carss Park  Artwork by Merran Esson, Autumn - ceramic objects representing European trees planted  throughout the Monaro area of New South Wales  Artwork by Julia Flanagan, Everything I own - painted timber construction with colourful patters and varying shapes
    Artwork by Talitha Hanna, Model for a Civil War - foam board, plaster, gesso, modelling wire  Artwork by Geoff Harvey, Sooty owl - wood, metal and found objects  Artwork by Geoff Harvey, Sooty owl - wood, metal and found objects  Artwork by Thomas Pearson, Systole & diastole - two red and blue blown glass objects
    Artwork by Sally West, The site - oil painting on canvas

2018 Past Exhibitions

  • Wanton, Wild & Unimagined

    20 January – 13 May 2018

    Alison McDonald has spent many hours manipulating the humble plastic bottle, collecting thousands of lids to make a variety of unimagined and impossible creations inspired by plants, oceans and by John Wyndham’s book, The Day of the Triffids.

    Wanton, Wild & Unimagined is a playful exhibition of sculptured recycled plastics that stirs the imagination and evokes environmental reflection, curated by Ross Searle.

    A travelling exhibition organised by Umbrella Studio contemporary arts, toured by Museums & Galleries Queensland. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program; and supported by the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian, state and territory governments.

    colorful artwork made out of small round pieces attached by string creating an estructure similar to a wave
    Image: Alison McDonald, Trickle, 2013, Individually hand cast & reduced recycled plastic lids & wire, 100 x 60 x 1cm. Photo courtesy of the artist.

  • St George on a Sunday

    19 May - 29 July 2018

    This photographic exhibition captures residents of the St George region and their favourite spare time activities. Hurstville Museum & Gallery collaborated with TAFE NSW St George College of Fine Arts for this project.

    Students were given the opportunity to get hands-on experience and work closely with the local community, taking the photographs for this exhibition. 

    promo image of st george on a sunday with two photographs of the shadow of a bicicle and the legs of a kid on a bicycle
    Image: promotional material for the exhibition 'St George on a Sunday'. Photo courtesy of Hurstville Museum and Gallery. 

  • Transformations: The Art of the Scott Sisters

    4 August – 14 October 2018

    A touring exhibition produced by the Australian Museum. Transformations: The Art of the Scott Sisters brings to life the work of Harriet and Helena Scott.

    With their paintbrushes, microscopes and magnifying glasses, they worked together to transform nature into art in extraordinary paintings of moths and butterflies. 

    main gallery space  main gallery space
    Images: room shoots of the exhibition. Photo courtesy of Hurstville Museum and Gallery.

  • Keep in touch

    20 October 2018 – 27 January 2019

    Since the introduction of the Internet and smart phones, communicating with each other has never been easier or more instantaneous. This exhibition takes you back to the world of analogue communication and showcases the development of information and communication services in the St George region. Explore old writing equipment, telephones and radios and see how things have changed over time.

    main gallery space exhibition with wood plinths  main gallery space exhibition with wood plinths
    Images: room shots of the exhibition space. Photo courtesy of Hurstville Museum and Gallery. 



Banner image credit: 'Beyond the bowl', 2019 featuring Merran Esson, 'Broken buckets, breaking boundaries' 2018 stoneware, clay and glazes.



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