Monuments, Movement & Quiet Moments in Gold
There’s a stillness in the National Gallery of Australia that I wasn’t expecting — the kind that creeps in slowly as you wander from one space to the next, letting each artwork guide your mood. The building itself is bold and brutalist, but once inside, it gives way to softness, space, and thought.
From the start, I was drawn to the incredible First Nations collection, where one of the highlights was a soaring installation of hollow log coffins — each painted with intricate linework and earthy pigments. Towering, yet delicate, they felt like a forest of memory, rooted in both mourning and celebration. It was one of the most affecting installations I’ve encountered.
Moving through the galleries, I was greeted by the elegant sweep of Margaret Preston’s florals, their blocky lines and modern tones pulling me into an entirely different time. Then came the shock of colour and energy in Rosalie Gascoigne’s assemblage works — vibrant roadside fragments turned into lyrical poems of the landscape.
In one room, bronze casts of a female figure in motion lined the walls like an ode to strength and sensuality. They radiated stillness and intensity all at once. Nearby, a dramatic work in burnt orange and blood red hung from ceiling to floor — layered with thread, texture, and grief. It vibrated.
Perhaps the most surprising moment came in a gallery of Australian surrealism: masked faces, abstracted bodies, and textured dreamscapes. One portrait in particular stared back at me with haunting, almond-shaped eyes — strange, beautiful, impossible to forget.
I was lucky to catch a new show featuring – Cézanne to Giacometti – highlights from Museum Berggruen / Neue Nationalgalerie, Berlin. This was so eloquently curated – it was spectacular. Done so methodically and with so much consideration and respect towards each and every artist mentioned. All my European master favourites were there. It was such a joy to see the story and timeline of so many artists come together in one room! Hats off to the curators for doing such an incredible job.
The unexpected highlight of this visit was taking part in a textile design workshop run by none other than Jordan Gogos — an acclaimed Australian artist and designer known for his boundary-pushing, experimental work in art, design, fashion, sculpture, and set design. His practice blends art, social commentary and recycled materials into vibrant, chaotic, joyful forms — often in collaboration with iconic Australia artists and communities. Sharing this moment with my son made it even more special. We soaked, we drew, we painted with exclusive fabric paint colours Jordan brought back from his recent trip to Greece. There was freedom in the process, and a sense of connection — not just with each other, but with the spirit of creative expression that Jordan embodies. It was messy, honest, and inspiring — a moment I’ll never forget. The 90’s playlist in the background just added another layer of nostalgia to such an awesome and creative day.
If you’re visiting Canberra, don’t skip the National Gallery. It holds centuries of art brought together in one space — calm but provocative, grand yet intimate. The kind of museum that doesn’t just show you things… it leaves something with you. Every corner you turn will excite you – I promise.
Featuring works by some of my favourite artists – Russell Drysdale, Charles Blackman, Roy Liechtenstein, Rodin!!!, Margaret Preston, and so many iconic First Nations artists – what a buzz!
Photo source: All snaps taken my Gina Kalliris
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