{"id":273838,"date":"2025-12-09T17:00:34","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T06:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.russh.com\/?p=273838"},"modified":"2025-12-09T15:35:48","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T04:35:48","slug":"australian-art-guide-december-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.russh.com\/australian-art-guide-december-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Art in December: Your guide to the Australian exhibitions taking place this month"},"content":{"rendered":"

We’re at the end of the year already (how?), but for those artistically inclined (or just inclined to walk around an air conditioned art gallery for several hours in the summer heat), then we’ve got good news for you. The art world has done anything but slow down for the end of the year. And whether you’re looking for an institutional\u00a0 headlining show or a small, boutique gallery experience \u2013 we’ve got you covered.<\/p>\n

For all the exhibitions happening across the country in December, read on.<\/p>\n

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NSW<\/h2>\n
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Hilda Rix Nicholas ‘Une Australienne (An Australian)’ 1926, National Gallery of Australia, purchased 2014 \u00a9 Bronwyn Wright<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Art Gallery of New South Wales<\/h3>\n

Dangerously Modern<\/em><\/a> \u2013 until 15 February 2026<\/p>\n

The first major exhibition to focus on the vital role of Australian Women Artists in Europe, from 1890\u20131940. With more than 200 works, it focuses on the vital role of these Australian women in the emergence of international modernism.<\/p>\n

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Sullivan+Strumpf<\/h3>\n

A Fine Line<\/em><\/a> \u2013 from 13 November 2025 until 13 December 2025<\/p>\n

Julia Gutman deepens her investigation into the fragile, fragmented nature of selfhood. Through repeated, fractured self-portraits, the artist presents as a multiplied, unstable image \u2013 a proxy for all of us \u2013 caught in the gap between how we understand ourselves and how we are understood by others.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bundanon<\/h3>\n

The Hidden Line: Art of the Boyd Women<\/a> \u2013\u00a0<\/em>until 15 February 2026<\/p>\n

This exhibition celebrates the women of one of Australia’s most prominent artistic dynasties with more than 300 works from five generations, including never-before-exhibited works. The exhibition will present works by Emma Minnie a\u2019Beckett Boyd (one of the rare female artists of her era able to have a full-time artistic practice) and Yvonne Boyd, who with her husband Arthur Boyd, gifted Bundanon to the Australian people, representing one of the most significant acts of philanthropy in the history of the arts in Australia.<\/p>\n

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VIC<\/h2>\n
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Hany Armanious: Stone Soup, Installation view of Hany Armanious: Stone Soup, Buxton Contemporary, the University of Melbourne. Photography by Christian Capurro.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Buxton Contemporary<\/h3>\n

Stone Soup<\/em><\/a> \u2013 from 21 November 2025 until 11 April 2026<\/p>\n

A major solo exhibition by internationally acclaimed sculptor Hany Armanious. He is celebrated for his inventive and often playful approach to sculpture, inviting audiences to experience ordinary objects anew. Drawing from the everyday, he recasts found objects in resin at a 1:1 scale, with meticulous attention to colour, texture and form, while allowing subtle imperfections to remain visible.<\/p>\n

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NGV<\/h3>\n

Women Photographers 1900\u20131975: A Legacy of Light<\/em><\/a> \u2013 from 28 November 2025 until May 2026<\/p>\n

Featuring some of the most iconic images from the twentieth century by the likes of Diane Arbus, Dora Maar, Lee Miller, Dorothea Lange, Olive Cotton and many more, this exhibition celebrates the images, lives and stories of more than 80 influential artists working between 1900 to 1975. More than 300 rare and innovative photographs, prints, postcards, photo books and magazines will be displayed from the NGV Collection.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Heide Museum<\/h3>\n

Song of the Earth<\/em><\/a> \u2013 from 26 November 2025 until 9 March 2026<\/p>\n

A major exhibition of works by John Nixon (1949\u20132020), one of Australia\u2019s most influential and experimental abstract artists. This extensive survey is the first to span Nixon\u2019s fifty-year career. Presented five years after his death, it offers a timely celebration of his life\u2019s work.<\/p>\n

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Sullivan+Strumpf<\/h3>\n

Puffs<\/em><\/a> \u2013 from 27 November 2025 until 20 December 2025<\/p>\n

An expansion of Polly Borland\u2019s sculptural practice, launched in 2023, this new series sees her human subjects\u2019 balloon into anamorphic, even alien-like forms. However, the shift in this series is restraint: for the first time, we see silhouettes without the signature padding, revealing the body within.<\/p>\n

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QLD<\/h2>\n
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Vipoo Srivilasa, Dancing Diva 2025, terracotta, glaze and gold lustre, 29 x 14 x 18 cm at Edwina Corlette ‘Sculpture and Small Works’<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Edwina Corlette<\/h3>\n

Sculpture and Small Works<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 until 9 December 2025<\/p>\n

A group exhibition feature small and sculptural works from Ari Athans, Sally Anderson, John Bokor, Rhys Lee, Tim McMonagle, Sally Nangala Mulda, Bundit Puangthong, Miranda Skoczek, Vipoo Srivilasa and Jake Walker.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ARTCLUB<\/h3>\n

ARTCLUB<\/a> \u2013 Opening 25 October 2025<\/p>\n

Internationally acclaimed designer and artist Heidi Middleton unveiled her revolutionary new retail concept: ARTCLUB, a hybrid gallery, atelier, and retail experience in Brisbane\u2019s James Street precinct. At its heart sits a six-metre gallery wall showcasing Middleton\u2019s original artworks, while five-metre abstract sculptures anchor the interior, forming a surreal, gallery-like landscape.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SA<\/h2>\n
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Garawan Wa\u1e49ambi, Marrakulu clan, Yol\u014bu people, Northern Territory, born Miwatj Region, Northern Territory 1965, Springwater bubbles up through a larrakitj on the beach at Raymangirr, 2019, Yirrkala, northeast Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, earth pigments on board, 121.0 x 121.0 cm, Acquisition through Tarnanthi: Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art supported by BHP 2020, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide \u00a9 Garawan Wa\u1e49ambi\/Buku-Larr\u014bgay Mulka Centre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

AGSA<\/h3>\n

Too Deadly: Ten Years of Tarnanthi<\/em><\/a> \u2013 until 18 January 2026<\/p>\n

This exhibition assembles more than 200 landmark works of art that have been acquired into AGSA\u2019s collection over the last ten years of Tarnanthi. Curated by Artistic Director Nici Cumpston OAM, Too Deadly not only reflects on Tarnanthi\u2019s first decade but also recontextualises and re-energises important works, allowing new dialogues to emerge between works of art, showcasing the artistic excellence of First Nations artists from across the country.<\/p>\n

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WA<\/h2>\n
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Pippin Drysdale Breakaway series IV \u2013 Wolfe Creek Crater Installation 2023. Glazed porcelain, 17 parts, dimensions variable. Collection of Michelle & Rukshen Weerasooriya. \u00a9 Pippin Drysdale. Photograph \u00a9 Robert Frith \u2013 Acorn Photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

AGWA<\/h3>\n

Infinite Terrain<\/em><\/a> \u2013 until 6 April 2026<\/p>\n

A landmark retrospective honouring the extraordinary career of internationally renowned ceramicist Pippin Drysdale.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

NT<\/h2>\n
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Photography by Georgina Campbell<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

MAGNT Darwin<\/h3>\n

Cyclone Tracy<\/em><\/a> \u2013 ongoing<\/p>\n

Explore a classic 1970 elevated home, monitor the cyclone at the desk of the Darwin Bureau of Meteorology office much as it looked in 1974, experience the real sound of Tracy brought to life through new technology and remastered sound in a new sound booth and explore 50 years of stories.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ACT<\/h2>\n
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Trent Parke, Christmas Eve, 2007, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri\/Canberra, purchased 2013 \u00a9 Courtesy of the artist, Hugo Michell Gallery, and Michael Reid Galleries<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

NGA<\/h3>\n

The Christmas Tree Bucket<\/em><\/a> \u2013 until 6 September 2026<\/p>\n

Trent Parke\u2019s photographic series is a tender and darkly humorous portrayal of his extended family coming together to celebrate Christmas. The series showcases Parke\u2019s distinctive and acclaimed visual style and his skilful use of light and colour, to transcendent effect.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

TAS<\/h2>\n
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The Layers of Solitude, Adrien Barber, 2025. Acrylic on canvas, framed in Tasmanian Oak. 100cm x 155cm.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery<\/h3>\n

The World of Butterflies Exhibition<\/em><\/a> \u2013 until 26 January 2026<\/p>\n

A special exhibition celebrating the diversity and beauty of butterflies on our planet. Featuring stunning displays of rare and exotic specimens, this exhibition is a must-see for nature lovers and curious minds alike.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dada Muse<\/h3>\n

Dante’s Divine Comedy<\/em><\/a> \u2013 ongoing<\/p>\n

A complete suite of 100 authentic water-colour works on paper by Salvador Dali, based on Dante Alighieri’s literary classic of the same name. Over 3500 woodblock carvings are said to have been used in the printing process.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n