The National Gallery of Australia is a large museum which is open to the public and located in Canberra, Australia. When vacationing in Australia, many tourists find the National Gallery of Australia to be a main focal point of their visit. At the museum, many varieties of Australian art and sculptures are on display. Primarily built as an art museum, the National Gallery of Australia was constructed in the late 1960s.
The grounds surrounding the gallery contain native Australian shrubs and trees, such as eucalyptus and gum trees. Many sculptures decorate the grounds of the Canberra museum. The National Gallery of Australia has three levels, each dedicated to specific displays. On the first level there are galleries that display entire collections of Australian and International art. Other levels display sculptures from Australian, American, and Asian collections.
Some of the most notable collections on display at the National Gallery of Australia are Aboriginal designs. The Aborigines are native to islands of Australia, such as Torres Strait island. These people are believed to have inhabited parts of Australia for more than 50,000 years. The cultural traditions of the Aborigines include crafting fine sculptures and paintings, many of which are displayed inside the National Gallery of Australia's Aboriginal section.
Guided tours of the National Gallery of Australia are offered to the public year round. In addition to art collections on display, there is a members lounge and a cafe for dining. An extensive gift shop, aptly named the National Gallery Shop, is another attraction that draws visitors to the National Gallery of Australia. Some of the souvenirs and gifts available for purchase are books, calendars, and diaries. Posters and jewelry are also available for purchase.
Curators also created a sculpture garden as part of Australia's National Gallery. The architecture is designed with ceramic rooms that house a total of 26 sculptures. The majority of sculptures are designed by Australian artists, although some are by international artists as well.
Various special exhibits are offered throughout the year, including the Good, Strong, Powerful Exhibition. This is a showcase for the talents of modern Aboriginal artists from three districts. The work comes directly from art centers in various areas.
The gallery also has a research library available for reference. In the archives are manuscripts that document the original Australian art and sculptures on display at the museum. Also available are audio and video recordings, many of which include exclusive interviews with the artists whose work is displayed in the gallery.
