Canberra - National Gallery of Australia

The National Gallery of Australia, an imposing concrete structure of cubic form with many corners and edges, was begun in 1974 and opened by Queen Elizabeth II in October 1982. It consists of 11 main galleries on three levels and a 2 ha sculpture garden (laid out according to the four seasons). The purchase of the collection, the largest in Australia, began in 1968 (Australian art; international art from 1971). Its particular strengths are 'white' art in Australia since 1788, South-East Asian art and the art of the Aborigines, together with African, Oceanian and pre- Columbian art, European art before 1850 and modern art since 1950. The exhibits range from oil paintings and water-colors, sculpture, votive objects, decorative art, printed works, drawings, book illustrations, sketchbooks, photographs and films to ceramics, costumes and textiles.