The Essential Duchamp

Overview

This month, the Art Gallery of NSW is throwing open the doors on the most comprehensive Marcel Duchamp exhibition to ever reach the Asia Pacific. Fans of the iconic and, at times controversial, French artist should hightail it over to The Essential Duchamp to soak up 125 works and documentary materials encompassing the 60 years of Duchamp's ground-breaking, convention-defying career.

It's hard to believe Duchamp died over a half-century ago this year — we're talking about the maverick that decided a urinal could be art way back in 1917. Even if you don't know his name, you'll definitely recognise his iconic ready-made sculpture Fountain, the original of which, for fans of spicy art trivia, is lost — so you'll be seeing the 1950 reproduction here.

Also keep your eyes peeled for significant works drawn from the Philadelphia Museum of Art's definitive collection, including Portrait of Dr. Dumouchel (1910), Sonata (1911), and Nude Descending a Staircase (No. 2) (1912), which was a career-definer for the artist back in the day following its showing at the 1913 Armory Show in New York City. From that point onward, he moved away from painting and towards the ready-made works that established his legacy as an artist who broke down the barriers between art and objects of everyday use.

Now, Duchamp is considered a driving force in how modern art was analysed and appreciated, making this landmark exhibition a must-see this season. "The Gallery is delighted to introduce to Australian audiences for the first time, the full creative accomplishment of this maverick artist who changed the way we look at art," Dr Michael Brand, director of the Art Gallery of NSW, said.

The Essential Duchamp will run from Saturday, April 27 to Sunday, August 11. You can purchase tickets now from the Art Gallery of NSW website. We've also got ten double passes to the exhibition to give away. Enter your details below for a chance to win.