ISSUE 111 | 6 November 2008 | nga.gov.au/Calendar

Degas
master of French art
BUY TICKETS
Opens 12 December | nga.gov.au/degas

For the first time audiences in Australia have the opportunity to see an exhibition devoted to one of the most significant and admired French artists of the nineteenth century, Edgar Degas.

The National Gallery of Australia presents important paintings and sculptures by Degas, as well as drawings, experimental monotypes and photographs. The exhibition draws works from major Degas collections, including Musée d’Orsay, Paris, Musée des Beaux Arts, Pau, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, the National Gallery of Art, Washington, and the J Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles.

top image: Edgar Degas  Before the ballet 1890-92   National Gallery of Art, Washington DC / Weidener Collection Image courtesy of the Board of Trustees, National Gallery of Art, Washington.  Part of the upcoming Degas exhibition

Gods, ghosts and men
Pacific arts from the National Gallery of Australia

10 October 2008 — 11 January 2009 | nga.gov.au/GodsGhostsMen

Members' movie night: Whale rider
Tuesday 11 November 4–7.30 pm
Explore the magnificent Gods, ghosts and men exhibition with voluntary guides, followed by a light reception and screening of the movie Whale rider. Directed by Niki Caro, 2003, New Zealand, PG, 101 mins | $5 members; $10 non-members
Bookings essential | James O Fairfax Theatre

The conservation of plant materials
in Pacific arts objects
Thursday 13 November 12.45 pm
Sarah McHugh, Object Conservator, discusses the conservation of works of art made from plant materials. The focus will be on key items from the exhibition.
Free |  Small Theatre

Concealed knowledge and hidden histories
Tuesday 25 November 12.45 pm
Crispin Howarth, Curator, Pacific Arts, and exhibition curator, uncovers the stories behind some of the lesser-known works from the Gallery's Pacific arts collection.
Free | Project Gallery

top image: Gods, ghosts and men gallery detail: Kaipel Ka  Six 2 six shield 1990-95  wood, paint, wire, rattan  National Gallery of Australia; Sulka people  Dance mask [Susu] 1968  pith, fibre, rattan, feather, wire, paint  National Gallery of Australia

Gallery events

The Barbara Blackman Temenos Foundation Lecture 2008
‘The market as God’ by Paul Stiles
Thursday 20 November 6 pm
The 2008 Barbara Blackman Temenos Foundation Lecture will be given by Paul Stiles who will discuss the nature of the market and its spiritual implications.
The market-driven world we live in is one of many forms of society that we choose to create. So where did this one come from? This lecture presents a revolutionary answer. Our Market Age is not primarily the product of social, economic or political ideology; or the triumph of science over religion; or the confluence of guns, germs and steel; but something much more fundamental – a catastrophic error in how we view the nature of reality. This error has collapsed our interior lives and transformed the market into our modern deity, with tragic consequences for our social and environmental systems. Can we fix it?
More information about Paul Stiles.
Free |  James O Fairfax Theatre

Sculpture Garden performance
Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November 7 pm
Canberra Dance Theatre 30th Anniversary performance
To celebrate thirty dynamic years in Canberra, Canberra Dance Theatre presents a beautiful and unique dance performance in the Sculpture Garden. This two-part performance created by Artistic Director Meg Millband features some of Canberra's most talented dancers alongside some of Australia's most spectacular sculptural works. Bring a picnic dinner to enjoy during the twilight interval.
$25; $20 concession | Bookings essential

Members events

Young members’ evening
Thursday 13 November 5 pm
The NGA invites dynamic and creative people in their 20s and 30s to explore the national art collection with young members of staff, who will discuss their favourite pieces and why they find them inspiring. Afterwards meet like-minded people, have a glass of wine, and listen to the soulful sounds of George Bishop from the Andi and George Band in the Members' Lounge.
$10; $15 non members | Bookings essential | Collection Study Room and Members’ Lounge

Members' coach trip: Monet and the Impressionists
Thursdays 20 November 7 am - 7 pm
Come with us on a luxury coach trip to the Art Gallery of New South Wales to view the superb exhibition Monet and the Impressionists, which is exclusive to Sydney. Includes exhibition entry, morning and afternoon tea. Please bring your own picnic lunch and fold-up chair.
$70 members/concessions; $80 non-members
Bookings essential | meet in National Gallery of Australia car park

Christmas shopping night
Members only | Thursday 27 November 5.30–8 pm
Exclusive Christmas shopping with free gift wrapping and 20% discount on all purchases (excluding already reduced items) and the opportunity to preview the Degas product range.

Become a Gallery member today - visit us at nga.gov.au/Members

image below: Edgar Degas  At the races: before the start  c. 1880–92  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, Virginia Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon    Photograph: Katherine Wetzel   © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts 
Part of the upcoming Degas exhibition.

Gallery information
Open daily 10 am – 5 pm | nga.gov.au | +61 2 6240 6502

Quick events search

assisted | children | families | highlight | lecture | members | performance | screening | talk | workshop

For bookings email eventbookings@nga.gov.au or call +61 2 6240 6504 or freecall 1800 020 068