To celebrate its 90th birthday, Manly Art Gallery & Museum is currently showcasing selected works acquired over the past nine decades in a special exhibition, 90 Years: Treasures from the Vault.

Mayor Michael Regan said the exhibition will provide rare insights into the history and stories behind the works.

“This is a unique opportunity to see and learn more about these fascinating works of art in a Gallery which has been a Northern Beaches institution since it opened in 1930,” he said

The exhibition features paintings, photographs and ceramics acquired through MAG&M Society, the Theo Batten Bequest, the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, private donors and from the artists.

Senior Curator Katherine Roberts said MAG&M’s collection continues to grow and represents works from some of Australia’s most significant artists.

“In the exhibition, our foyer display reveals MAG&M’s earliest acquisition of a 1923 painting by James R. Jackson alongside one of our most recent acquisitions of a 2019 digital print by contemporary artist Joan Ross,” Katherine Roberts said.

The exhibition throughout the three gallery spaces is grouped into six main narratives; Artists at Work, Figuration, Still Life, Trees, Water and Manly.

“Many of the artworks are old favourites and some are recent acquisitions from the past decade. Paintings, prints, photographs and ceramics have been displayed side by side, cutting across time-periods and showing the depth and diversity of the collection.

“MAG&M’s extensive ceramics collection can be seen in the upstairs gallery’s current exhibition In the Storeroom,” Katherine Roberts said.

Manly Art Gallery & Museum was the first metropolitan based regional gallery in New South Wales. In 2020, MAG&M is a cultural hub of art, live music and creative learning. It continues to play a vital role in the cultural life of Sydney on the Northern Beaches and holds one of NSW’s great art collections.

There’s always something to see, hear or do so check out Manly Art Gallery & Museum’s webpage to see what’s on.  

Don’t forget to book your timed ticket to keep in line with current social distancing rules.  

Exhibition dates: 2 June – 3 August 2020