Brett Whiteley Studio 20th Anniversary
If you've never stopped by this homage to one of Australia's best painters, now is the time.
Overview
Surry Hills was a very different place in 1985. The grime was starting to wash away and a shiny new cosmopolitan suburb was taking shape. A young Brett Whiteley purchased a humble warehouse just off Crown Street and converted it into a studio, where he lived and worked until his death in 1992.
Two decades on, the Brett Whiteley Studio continues to be a much-loved part of Sydney’s art scene. Alongside exhibitions that showcase the artist’s best work, the preservation of his studio and living area provides fascinating insights into his personal and professional life.
In celebration of Whiteley’s long legacy, a major open day will be held on Saturday, February 21. The event will feature a handful of talks, including Wendy Whiteley in conversation with Wayne Tunnicliffe, head curator at the Art Gallery of NSW. Publisher and writer Lou Klepac will discuss the importance of drawing in Whiteley’s practice, and artist Ben Quilty will speak about the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship (of which he is a former winner).