My Galleries of Influence

Whenever I travel to different places, I make sure to visit the local art gallery, botanical gardens, beaches, or swimming pool. These things are possibly a reflection of who I am. As you may have guessed, I love art and nature and enjoy swimming. In this month's blog, I'd like to share with you three of my favourite art galleries and the reasons why I enjoyed finding them.

Let me start with my hometown. I enjoy visiting the Art Gallery of South Australia in Adelaide (AGSA). Adelaide is usually considered as a relatively conservative city. However, AGSA defies all of these expectations. Behind the classical sandstone facade lies an impressive collection of Australian and international art, including some quite unique contemporary pieces. But what impresses me the most is the way the gallery is curated. The internal galleries are arranged by themes, such as "Being Human," "Longing and Belonging”, "Infinite Journeys," and so on. Traditional artworks in heavy golden frames are surrounded by challenging contemporary art, paintings are hung at different heights, and objects from different periods and cultures are brought together to reveal how art links the past to the present. The whole gallery experience is memorable and engaging. This unusual presentation is credited to the art gallery director Nick Mitzevich who left AGSA in 2018, but his legacy remains to date. There are many paintings I frequently visit, but one of my favourites is Jeffrey Smart's "The Argument, Prenestina." Jeffrey Smart is one of Australia's most celebrated 20th-century artists. I particularly like the minimalistic clean composition and the vivid colors in this painting.

My next favourite gallery is Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York.  Unlike traditional art galleries around the world, this museum's architecture is very unconventional. It was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright gave a symbolic meaning to the building's shapes, which only adds to its uniqueness. The circle represents infinity, the triangle represents structural unity, the spiral represents organic progress, and the square represents integrity. The museum's art collection is focusing on modern art. It encompasses everything from impressionism to contemporary art. The collection includes one of my favorite paintings of all time - Rene Magritte's Empire of Light.  This painting will leave you puzzled. It features a dark, nocturnal street scene against a pastel-blue, light-filled sky, with fluffy cumulus clouds. The paradoxical combination of day and night in the painting is a surreal expression of life that is thought-provoking and mysterious. And I love mysteries. 

My third pick for the best art galleries to visit is the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart, Tasmania. If you are ready for an adventure, then you should visit MONA. This controversial gallery is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of place, but that is what makes it so intriguing! The founder, David Walsh, is not from a traditional art background, and he has rewritten the rules of what an art gallery should be. MONA is definitely not for everyone. It is a self-driven adventure and discovery, and unless you are willing to enter the space with an open mind and put some effort into the exploration, you may not get much out of your visit. You may be confronted by MONA's ability to reveal the best and worst aspects of humanity. During my visit, I was intrigued by The White Library exhibit. The exhibit is a vast library space full of empty books. But there is a twist to it. You can leave your mark, by writing a chapter in a book which will be left on permanent display. Unfortunately, I have not been to MONA recently, so I am not sure whether The White Library is in their permanent collection. But I can tell you this, MONA is an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.

I am curious to know if you have a favourite gallery, artist, or painting you love. Would you mind sharing it with me?

I hope you enjoyed our trip around my favourite galleries.

Until next time, stay safe, keep dreaming big, and never stop exploring. There is so much out there waiting to be discovered.

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