Brett Whiteley Studio

Art museum · Surry Hills

Brett Whiteley Studio

Art museum · Surry Hills

2 Raper St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia

Highlights

Step into Brett Whiteley's Surry Hills studio to explore the raw genius, unfinished works, and personal artifacts of one of Australia’s avant-garde art icons.

2 Raper St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia Get directions

artgallery.nsw.gov.au

@brettwhiteleystudio

@onthegrid

On the Grid : Brett Whiteley Studio

"There’s nothing quite like seeing a great artist in the midst of their process. Unfortunately, legendary Australian artist Brett Whiteley passed away in 1992, so nobody will ever again see him work with a brush. But you can see the next best thing. The Art Gallery of NSW has maintained Brett’s studio (and home) in Surry Hills, and it’s now a museum and gallery dedicated to his life and work. But it’s also a document of his process, with the studio littered his unfinished paintings, art equipment and reference books. and the graffiti wall covered with quotes and images. So yes, seeing his art up close is great – but the real joy is examining the artefacts of creativity strewn about, giving you a chance to get forensic and deconstruct the genesis of the art on display. Artworks © Wendy Whiteley Photo: AGNSW" - For the People

https://onthegrid.city/sydney/surry-hills/brett-whiteley-studio

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@afar

"The final home and workplace of the late Australian artist Brett Whiteley is now a museum that holds rotating exhibits of Whiteley’s work shown on weekends as well as monthly events such as poetry readings and classical music performances. The upstairs is frozen in time: dipped brushes are ready to create their next masterpiece; reference books are opened to the last page Whiteley saw; vinyl records sit waiting to be played. All of this plus a wall of photos, graffiti, and quotes from contemporaries like Bob Dylan paints an intimate portrait of an artistic genius who died of a methadone overdose in 1992. Entrance and events are free, and you don’t need to book ahead. Just show up ready to be inspired."

The Best Things to Do in Sydney

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@afar

The Perfect Day in Sydney

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@onthegrid

"Brett Whiteley Studio, Surry Hills by For the People. There’s nothing quite like seeing a great artist in the midst of their process.Unfortunately, legendary Australian artist Brett Whiteley passed away in 1992, so nobody will ever again see him work with a brush. But you can see the next best thing.The Art Gallery of NSW has maintained Brett’s studio (and home) in Surry Hills, and it’s now a museum and gallery dedicated to his life and work. But it’s also a document of his process, with the studio littered his unfinished paintings, art equipment and reference books. and the graffiti wall covered with quotes and images.So yes, seeing his art up close is great – but the real joy is examining the artefacts of creativity strewn about, giving you a chance to get forensic and deconstruct the genesis of the art on display.Artworks © Wendy WhiteleyPhoto: AGNSW"

Sydney

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@cntraveler

15 Best Museums in Sydney | Condé Nast Traveler

"For insight into one of Australia’s most talented contemporary artists, discover the home and studio of the late Brett Whiteley. Managed by the Art Gallery of New South Wales, this intimate converted warehouse in Surry Hills packs an emotional punch. Whiteley bought the former T-shirt factory in 1985 and lived here from 1987 to 1992 before his untimely death from a drug overdose. It's one of Sydney’s best-kept (free-to-visit) secrets." - Sophie Davies

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-museums-in-sydney

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Dominique

Google

My visit to the Brett Whiteley Studio was a truly enriching artistic experience. The exhibited works revealed the depth of Whiteley's talent, while exploring his preserved studio offered a fascinating glimpse into his creative process. The inspiring ambiance and meticulous attention to detail made this visit memorable for any art enthusiast.

Jackie McMillan

Google

Yesterday we visited the Brett Whiteley Studio in Surry Hills, which is currently showing Chapters 1959–1969. It’s all works made by Whiteley between the ages of 20 and 30, during an intensive period of travel and artistic experimentation. What I liked about this gallery was the way it was arranged. For me the pieces that spoke loudest emanated from Whiteley’s time in Fiji, and a 1968 collage called New York 1. I found the bath nudes too abstract. It’s a multimedia gallery where you can see both a wide range of his art, plus the place where Brett created it, lined with quotes and images he found inspiring. In the small gift shop you’ll find the book that inspired our secret garden visit. Entry is free.

The Melbie

Google

Great ain't it? When you don't know much about the artist's work except that he is an Aust icon, vaguely recollect you don't quite like his art - what the memory bank trawls up. By chance, you follow your friends & then find that Brett's art is arresting - some a lot more than the others.. Just love these sort of encounters, especially when the eye & mind in the passage of time perceives differently. Current exhibition (Sun 10 Sep visit) is focused on 10 years of his life between 1959 - 69. Appreciated this as first intro to Brett's work - it showcased enough to assimilate & ruminate without too much quantity. Staff at entry desk was super helpful & welcoming. Saddened to hear his daughter Arkie who was in the 80s drama Prisoners died young from cancer. A book on the coffee table upstairs caught my eye - Native Rose. On my recent first visit to Uluru & Kata Tjuta Nat Park - my eyes perceived the geo formations exactly as Brett has painted it! The toilet is mod con nice. Very small gift shop with postcards, books & poster prints of artworks & gen info incl. Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden next to Sydney's Luna Park. We got the Light Rail from city George's St to a stop close by to this gallery - the home where artist & family lived for some time.

Bollybroad

Google

If you're a Brett Whiteley fan, as I am, you'll enjoy this space. You're not allowed to take photos, which is disappointing. There is a tiny selection of books, postcards, posters and cards. Which predictably include none of what is on display, so you can't have a memento of your favourite paintings. But these are minor irritants. Whiteley was a genius and to be in his work space and in the presence of so much of his work is an honour and a pleasure.

Mike Lazarus

Google

Quite a wonderful experience and very well worth while the visit. Brett's studio is much more than just seeing the art. It's also about the man. You get to wander around the studio and look at some incredible art have a coffee and wander upstairs and see something of his life. The books he read and the music he listens to assists in giving a further insight into Brett Whiteley. Additionally they have informed and helpful staff on hand to assist you with any questions you might have

Mark Mahon

Google

Brilliant trip to the Brett Whiteley Studio, exhibition was on his early works from Australia New York and Fiji. Having the studio where he lived and worked adds depth to the experience As a Bob Dylan fanatic loved it he did a 86 press conference here and there is loads of interesting items related. Plus it's Free!

Erivan

Google

Explore one of Sydney's best kept secrets: This museum by the Art Gallery of NSW was the workplace and home of Australian artist Brett Whiteley (1939–1992). The Studio exhibits a selection of Whiteley's work where glimpses of his private world can be seen in his sketchbooks, photographs, music collection and personal memorabilia. There is a small shop with postcards, posters and other merchandise available. There is no cafe at the Studio, but a lot of good option for that nearby.

Nathan Green

Google

An art gallery for a talented deceased artist. Expect themes of nudity and crudely depicted body parts, this however does not detract from the art itself. No pictures are allowed to be taken inside. There is a rest room and very small gift shop where you are able to pick up prints - quite expensive.

Tereza B.

Yelp

The Brett Whiteley Studio in Raper Street, Surry Hills was the studio and home of the famous Australian artist Brett Whiteley. Along with his wife, he bought the former T-shirt factory and converted it into a studio which later became a home for himself. He moved to this studio from his Lavender Bay home when he separated from his wife Wendy in 1987. He lived here from 1988 through to 1992 where he died in Thirroul. Managed by the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the exhibition is sponsored by JP Morgan allowing visitors to see the studio and exhibition free. As expected, photography is not permitted within the gallery. This studio/gallery provides a fascinating glimpse into Whiteley's private world. In his time he was leading the forefront of avant garde in the art movement in Australia and belonged to one of Sydney's first artist communities at the Yellow House which still stands at Potts Point. The exhibition features on the ground floor mostly from one of his most famed works the 'Alchemy'. Painted over a year Alchemy is an expression of the artist's state of mind and all Whiteley's influences over his lifetime. It was painted from left to right but can be appreciated from either way and even if you start in the middle at the painted word of IT. This word IT has much impact on this piece of work but you will have to visit the gallery to find out why. One of the influences for this works was his friend Japanese Yukio Mishima who Whiteley made a portrait of, destroyed it and then included it within Alchemy. Mishima had committed Seppekuku believing the gap between art and action could be bridged with a ritual death. Seppekuku is a Japanese ritual of suicide by disembowelment. In the studio upstairs the furniture, lighting, collections of memorabilia, postcards, photographs, objects etc., are all as he arranged them. The music that is played at the Studio during opening hours is from the artist's collection. It's a privileged and haunting insight into Whiteley's world and the curators are more than happy to share their knowledge of the artist and his work. The studio/gallery is available for education groups for Thurs/Fridays only and drawing classes are available on Saturdays. Wheelchair access is available for downstairs only. Brett Whiteley was one of Australia's most celebrated artists and I hope this review intrigues you to find out why.

adam w.

Yelp

Whether you know who Brett Whiteley is or not, this studio of his that remains partly untouched is definitely worth a visit when you're next in Surry Hills. Its located on Raper Street, one of the laneways off Devonshire street and is slightly hidden from the crowds circling the bourke street bakery and crown street shops, which makes it even more of a gem. You'll know when you've found the place as you'll see a sculpture of one of his iconic works out front. Two large matches, one burnt and one not yet lit, that seem to represent life and death. When you step into the studio, be prepared to be both awe-struck and inspired. You'll see hand carved wooden sculptures of what seems to be bulbous and curvaceous interpretations of women, landscapes of sydney in Whiteley's identifiable calligraphy styled brushstrokes, big bummed and big breasted images of women on the beach and large mixed media paintings that stretch across the walls, filled with paintings of body parts, the Australian landscape, genitals, a sculpted replica of a brain and even a stuffed bird. I think my favourite part of the studio though is the upstairs area which still remains untouched. This includes his bedroom and working studio space. You'll see the books he kept by his bed, you can really see how they inspired him and added to who he was and his artworks, the futon he slept on with the paints and working materials next to it and also the random quotes on the walls that also speak of who he was, but that also seem to resonate with each visitor as they pass by this room. This is such a great place to visit, I think every person should come here and experience this place at least once in their lives.

Michael G.

Yelp

Outstanding place to visit. Has an element of a secret garden, hidden in the back alleys of Surry Hills. The curators are very welcoming. The music is cool. The art is amazing. The studio gives a sense of what it would have been like. Thank heaven someone thought to preserve it and then open for free to the public. An absolute jewel in this great city.