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Art Cases

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  • About
  • Touring Dates
  • Red Case
  • Copper Case
  • Blue Case
  • Yellow Case
  • Orange Case

The Art Cases program is a core part of the National Gallery’s Touring Exhibitions program. The program comprises five art-filled cases that travel to schools, libraries, community centres, galleries and aged care homes, where the works are discovered and handled by adults and children of all ages for both exhibition and hands-on programs such as art making and story-telling.

In 1998 Jim and Elaine Wolfensohn generously donated funds to purchase interesting and durable works to tour to metropolitan, regional, and remote areas of Australia. Then known as the Jim and Elaine Wolfensohn Gift, two cases began touring in 1990 and were joined by a third case in 2004.

After three decades of touring, the program was expanded in 2021 thanks to the generous support of the Neilson Foundation. Five cases now tour Australia with revised artworks and themes inspiring creativity, inclusivity and learning.

The five cases and their themes are:

  • Red – Bodies
  • Copper – Country
  • Blue – Earth
  • Yellow – Past, Present, Future
  • Orange – Form and Function

Contact

Are you interested in hosting an Art Case in your local community? The program is free of charge and freight and insurance are arranged by the Gallery.

Please contact travex@nga.gov.au.

The National Gallery’s Art Cases are generously supported by the Neilson Foundation with grateful acknowledgement of founding patrons Elaine and Jim Wolfensohn.

  • Neilson Foundation

Touring Dates 2021/22


Red Case: Bodies

2022 dates coming soon.

Copper Case: Country

  • New England Regional Art Museum NSW
  • Tamworth Regional Gallery NSW
  • Willyama High School NSW

Blue Case: Earth

2022 dates coming soon.

Yellow Case: Past, Present, Future

  • Central Goldfields Art Gallery, VIC
  • Foster, Korumburra and Leongatha Libraries, VIC
  • Canley Vale High School, NSW

Orange Case: Form and Function

  • Southern Vales Christian College, SA
  • Devonport Library, TAS
  • Burnie Library, TAS

Red Case: Bodies


The Bodies Art Case brings together works that explore the lived experience of biology, of flesh and blood and the ways in which our bodies influence memory, space and form. Several of the artworks take the form of internal organs – heart, brain, digestive system – encouraging us to pay closer attention to what is going on inside our bodies, and how these organs influence our experience of the world. Other artworks consider how bodies relate to the external forces, through their ability to manipulate space or how they are shaped in relation to larger social structures. The works in this case encourage us to think about the physical composition of our bodies and how they shape our experience of the world.

Artists & works

  • Lionel Bawden
    Brain coral 2003
  • Richard Byrnes
    Digestion haiku 1993
  • Karla Dickens
    Block and tackle 2020
  • Matt Harding
    Sacred Heart 1999
  • Emily O'Brien
    Hair chairs 2004
  • Neil Roberts
    The space inside my fist 1995

Copper Case: Country


The Country Art Case brings together Indigenous works from across the continent providing many different perspectives, ideas and stories that looked at both land and Country. Many of the works in this case are made by using natural material, sometimes sourced via cultural collection. Knowing how to collect material from the environment provides perspectives to the relationship Indigenous people have to the natural surroundings. This case also looks at the shared histories of non-Indigenous occupation of Australia and the adaptive nature First Nations People adjusted to when looking after and utilising their specific Land and Country. First Nations ideas and philosophies of land and Country provide a holistic view and connects Indigenous people through place, spirit, culture, practice and ceremony.

Artists & works

  • Penny Evans
    Burnt Banksia
  • Carol McGregor
    Gather Bags ll 2018–ongoing
  • Jimmy John Thaiday
    Kebi Nam 2018
  • Aubrey Tigan
    Riji 2009
  • James Tylor
    Kaurna Wirri Katha, 2020 (Language group Kaurna, Adelaide)
  • Lena Yarinkura
    Bush mice 2002 (Rembarrnga/Kune peoples)

Blue Case: Earth


The Earth Art Case brings together artists who reflect on the importance of the natural world and our place within it. From ancient times to today, the natural world has provided an endless source of inspiration for artists to articulate the different yet profound ways that cultures connect and respond to the environment. The works in this case span long-standing and contemporary art practices, demonstrating a variety of spiritual, cultural and artistic connections to nature. From the biological to the geological, the microscopic to the visible, the artworks ask us to consider our responsibilities to protect and preserve the intricate and extraordinary diversity of the natural world.

Artists & works

  • Leecee and Sonja Carmichael
    DabiyilWagari (Water Carrying) Vessels
  • Megan Cope
    Pieces from RE FORMATION 2017
  • John Edgar
    Light stone and Red eye 1993
  • John Prince Siddon
    Purlkartu skull
  • Unknown artist
    Marka mask late 19th – early 20th century
  • Angela Valamanesh
    from Miscellaneous items G 2006, re-made 2020

Yellow Case: Past, Present, Future


The Past, Present, Future Art Case brings together multiple artists looking at the three concepts holistically through different forms. These forms could be time itself, our human experience of histories or the influence of events in determining the possible future. Exploring the past, present and future through insightful ways, the works in this case allowing audiences to engage and respond through our own experience of the concept. From futuristic creatures to bronze sculptures of worship, the Past, Present & Future case asks us to consider just that, our past, our present and our futures.

Artists & works

  • Emily Beckley
    Sabagorar Susueri (Bridal Necklace) 2019
  • Ian Howard
    The arms of the people 1990
  • Carol McGregor
    Cornerstone 2011–18
  • Patricia Piccinini
    The offering 2009
  • Unknown artist
    Seated Ganesha 9th–10th century
  • David Wallace
    Stockman and horse 1997

Orange Case: Form and Function


The Form and Function Art Case brings together works that blur the line between art and design. Each object can be used for everyday tasks such as serving tea, making light, or even grinding pepper. However, each has also been created with great care and attention to detail that goes beyond the simply functional. Combining historical objects with contemporary works, this Case asks us to consider the relationship between an object’s use and its form. How does an object’s decoration, shape or method of creation change the way we engage with it or its meaning to the user? From the ceremonial to the personal, these objects illustrate the complex systems and rituals that humans have developed over centuries and suggest new ways of relating to one another.

Artists & works

  • Lulu Cooley
    Wira (Collecting Bowl) 2018
  • Cinnamon Lee
    Palmlight #2 2000
  • Karl Lawrence Millard
    Lizard grinder 2000
  • Gilbert Riedelbauch
    Double bowl 2000
  • Shireen Taweel
    Noor 2016
  • Unknown artist
    Ankus [elephant goad] late 19th – early 20th century

Related


For people with access needs

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We provide a range of free programs that are designed for and with people with disability and access needs.

Conference

National Visual Art Education Conference

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The National Visual Art Education Conference is Australia’s only national education conference dedicated to visual art.

Wheelchair Accessible Auslan Interpretation Open Captioning
Touring Exhibitions

Touring the collection

Helping the Gallery to be a truly national institution, the Touring Exhibitions team share how they tour the collection here and overseas.

Programs

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With our range of art programs, you’re sure to find the perfect spark for your imagination.

Art Weekends

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Kick back with the National Gallery and enjoy your weekend in style with art, film, storytelling and special accessible events.

Touring Exhibition

Yayoi Kusama
THE SPIRITS OF THE PUMPKINS DESCENDED INTO THE HEAVENS

On Tour
A small bright yellow room with black dots and a mirrored box in the middle

Art Gallery of South Australia
1 Apr 2022 – 2 Apr 2023

Artist Yayoi Kusama invites viewers to immerse themselves in her world to participate in an experience of both claustrophobic and infinite space.

Yuuma, Gurruburri

The National Gallery acknowledges the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the Kamberri/Canberra region, and recognises their continuous connection to culture, community and Country.

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