Sydney International Art Series will bring world’s most outstanding art exclusively to Sydney
The first art exhibition in Sydney devoted to the Dutch golden age featuring masterpieces by Rembrandt, and a rare Vermeer, will be presented alongside a major new retrospective from pioneer Swiss video artist Pipilotti Rist as part of the 2017-2018 Sydney International Art Series.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres announced the two exceptional exhibitions for the Sydney International Art Series which will be shown at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.
“The Sydney International Art Series has attracted 1.7 million attendees and generated more than $122 million in overnight visitor expenditure for NSW since its inception and is a massive win for visitation in NSW,” Mr Ayres said.
“Securing these remarkable collections, to be shown exclusively in NSW in 2017-2018, reaffirms the reputation of the Sydney International Art Series for bringing the world’s most outstanding art exclusively to Sydney.”
Rembrandt and the Dutch Golden Age: Masterpieces from the Rijksmuseum explores the flourishing artistic culture of the Netherlands during the 17th century. Alongside Rembrandt and Vermeer the exhibition features masterpieces by Ruisdael, Hals, De Hooch, Lievens and Leyster.
Director of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Dr Michael Brand, said, “This is a real treat for visitors to experience the visually rich art of the Dutch golden age. The exhibition features Rembrandt’s Self-portrait as the Apostle Paul, 1661, and the third-ever Vermeer to travel to Australia – Woman Reading a Letter, c.1663 – an exceptionally rare and beautiful painting and one of only 36 known works by the master.”
“Over the past thirty years, Swiss artist Pipilotti Rist has achieved international renown as a pioneer of video art and multimedia installations. Her dazzling, large-scale installations incorporate video, sculpture and performance and often envelop viewers in vibrantly coloured projections of light and music to create sensual and immersive environments.”
Museum of Contemporary Art Director, Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE, said, “Pipilotti Rist is one of the world’s most celebrated contemporary artists. Her lush and playful multi-screen video installations are audience favourites wherever they are shown and will no doubt captivate visitors here in Australia. Pipilotti’s work reimagines the possibilities of the video medium and it is hugely exciting to be presenting in Sydney her very first museum exhibition in the region.”
