About the Collections
Art
The Memorial houses an extensive collection of Australian art that originated in the official war art schemes. These works illustrate the enduring impact of war on Australian society and are displayed throughout the Memorial. The holdings number some 30,000 works of art and contain paintings, watercolours, drawings, prints, cartoons, posters and sculpture. Artists represented include Will Dyson, Arthur Streeton, George Lambert, William Dargie, Ivor Hele, Stella Bowen, William Dobell and Sidney Nolan. Also included are prints by internationally renowned artists such as C.R.W. Nevinson, Otto Dix and Paul Nash. A continuing process of selective acquisition builds the collection with additions of work from Australia's colonial period to the present.
Works of art also enhance the commemorative focus of the Memorial, the Hall of Memory, which contains the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier, interred in 1993. Stained glass windows and mosaics by Napier Waller embellish the interior of the hall and encourage reflection upon the sacrifice of Australians in war.
Artist Profiles
Information on some of the artists represented in the Memorial's collections.
Art collection access
Exhibitions
Works of art from the Memorial's collection are on display throughout the galleries. Travelling exhibitions and loans to regional galleries are developed to commemorate significant events.
Research
Public access for research is available in the Research Centre. You can search the Collection Search database to find works of arts in the collection. Access to works of art not on display is available by appointment only with the Art Section.
Publications
Publications about the Memorial's art collection are available from the Memorial Shop.
Reproduction service
Over 4,000 works of art have been photographed for the reference collection and are available as colour transparencies and black & white prints. Enquiries should be directed to the eSales Unit.
%7Cutmccn%3D(direct)%7Cutmcmd%3D(none)%3B){kind=small}