Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

Today, 33 years ago on 11 November 1991, the MCA opened its doors!    But our story started even earlier.    In 1989, preparations began for the MCA to open in its current residence at Tallawoladah, and the first two artworks in the MCA Collection were acquired – ‘Nawarramulmul (Shooting Star Spirit)’ and ‘Ngalyod (Female Rainbow Serpent)’ by Kuninjku artist John Mawurndjul.     John Mawurndjul lives and works in Maningrida and Milmilngkan, western Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. He is celebrated for his mastery of rarrk (fine-painted cross-hatching), a tradition shared by generations of Kuninjku artists. His work is critically and historically acclaimed and the acquisition of these works as foundational pieces for the MCA Collection demonstrated the MCA’s commitment to Australia’s First Peoples, a commitment that continues today.    In the coming weeks, we will be announcing our 2025 artistic program as we look forward to the next 30+ years of our remarkable institution.    —    Images: John Mawurndjul, ‘Nawarramulmul (Shooting Star Spirit)’, 1988, earth pigments on Stringybark (Eucalyptus tetrodonta), Museum of Contemporary Art, purchased with funds donated by Mr and Mrs Jim Bain, 1989, © John Mawurndjul/Copyright Agency, 2018, photograph: Jessica Maurer; John Mawurndjul, ‘Ngalyod (Female Rainbow Serpent)’, 1988 earth pigments on Stringybark (Eucalyptus tetrodonta), Museum of Contemporary Art, purchased with funds donated by Mr and Mrs Jim Bain, 1989, © John Mawurndjul/Copyright Agency, 2018, photograph: Jessica Maurer    #MCAAustralia 

‘It is with great sadness, the MCA acknowledges the passing of the Museum’s founding Director Leon Paroissien AM.   Leon Paroissien’s legacy is immense. He was the founding Director of the MCA from 1989 – 1997, opening the building at Tallawoladah in November 1991. Alongside Chief Curator Bernice Murphy, Paroissien’s vision was to present ground-breaking exhibitions of contemporary art from Australia, the Asia Pacific region and around the world, and the first two works Paroissien and Murphy acquired for the MCA Collection were two bark paintings by John Mawurndjul AM, Nawarramulmul and Nialyod.   Amongst the extraordinary exhibitions and public artworks presented at the MCA under Paroissien’s directorship were: Mapplethorpe Retrospective (1995); Louise Bourgeois (1995-6); ‘The Native Born: Objects and Representations from Ramingining, Arnhem Land (1996) which toured to Europe, South America, the United States and Taiwan; Puppy by Jeff Koons with Kaldor Public Art Projects (1995-6); Yves Klein (1997-8); ‘Marina Abramovic: objects, performance, video, sound’ (1998); Cindy Sherman: Retrospective (1999) and ‘MCA Aboriginal Art: Fine Lines: works of ornamentation and decoration by Maningrida Artists’ (1999). With Bernice Murphy, Leon also introduced Primavera: Young Australian Artists in 1992 in collaboration with Dr Edward Jackson AM and Mrs Cynthia Jackson AM, dedicated to showcasing the work of early career artists.   Paroissien was also founding Director of the Visual Arts Board of the Australia Council (1974–1980), appointed under Gough Whitlam as both Arts Minister and Prime Minister, Director of the fifth Biennale of Sydney (1984) and Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Taipei.   MCA Australia pays tribute to Leon Paroissien for his commitment to contemporary art in Australia and the legacy of his inspiring foundational work and we extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones, family and friends’. – MCA Director Suzanne Cotter — Images: Leon Paroissien in 1990, MCA site visit, photograph; Museum of Contemporary Art, photograph

Congratulations to Anneke Jaspers MCA Senior Curator, Collection, who has been selected as one of four Paris Residency Fellows for 2025 by The Power Institute at the University of Sydney!    Over three months, Fellows take up residency at the Power Institute's studio at the Cité Internationale des Art in Paris, where they can pursue their work alongside practitioners from around the world.    Anneke’s research is focused on art at the intersection of history, politics and place. She has published widely on contemporary Australian art for two decades and recently completed a PhD in Curatorial Studies.    The residency will be dedicated to Anneke’s research and development towards a major solo exhibition, and accompanying monograph, in the context of her role as a Senior Curator at the MCA.    #MCAAustralia    ––    Image: Anneke Jaspers, photograph: Richard Freeman 

‘He seamlessly fuses film, photography, sound, archives, poetry and installation to address issues of race, gender and cultural identity in our times. It is a piece of sheer brilliance.’  ★★★★★  – ArtsHub Experience why critics and the public are spellbound by the mesmerising installation ‘Isaac Julien: Once Again... (Statues Never Die)’.    On now  Free admission, Level One Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gRw2aBqb 

On Saturday night we rolled out the black carpet to host our annual fundraiser, the 2024 MCA Artists Ball! This year we celebrated acclaimed Australian artist, Shaun Gladwell and raised much-needed funds for our artistic, learning and access programs.     A huge thank you to the MCA Artists Ball Committee led by MCA Chair Lorraine Tarabay, MC Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran, auctioneer extraordinaire Monika Tu, artists who donated their work (Shaun Gladwell, Danie Mellor, Jonny Niesche, Michael Zavros, Nell, Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran, Tony Albert), performers including Ngaiire and Aphir, sponsors Black Diamondz Group, Conquest Capital Investments, Pallion, event partners The Big Group and AV1, wine partner Mount Pleasant Wines, champagne partner VRANKEN-POMMERY MONOPOLE, and all our generous supporters for helping create such a memorable night.    —    Images: MCA Artists Ball 2024, photography: Gabrielle Clement, Jake Scevola and Lucas Jarvis 

‘Hauntingly beautiful, Isaac Julien’s installation at the MCA is a must-see' – The Sydney Morning Herald   ‘Isaac Julien: Once Again... (Statues Never Die)’, is a five-screen black-and-white installation film about the relationship and correspondence between art collector Albert C. Barnes (1872–1951) and prominent philosopher, educator and cultural leader Alain Locke (1885–1954).    Staring actor André Holland (‘Moonlight’, ‘Passing’) as Alain Locke, Danny Huston (‘Succession’, ‘Marlowe)’ as Dr. Barnes, rising star Devon Terrell as sculptor Richmond Barthé, and Sharlene Whyte (‘Small Axe’, ‘Lessons of the Hour’) as the curator. The installation also features a special appearance by singer and songwriter Alice Smith.    Free admission, Level 1 https://lnkd.in/gRw2aBqb —    Photo: Isaac Julien, ‘Once Again… (Statues Never Die)’, 2022, installation view, ‘Isaac Julien: Once Again… (Statues Never Die)’, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney 2024, image courtesy Isaac Julien and Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, © the artist, photograph: Zan Wimberley 

We’re excited to announce UK artist Thomas J Price as the recipient of the inaugural Neil Balnaves Tallawoladah Lawn Commission with a new work to be unveiled in Spring 2025.        This is the first contemporary sculptural commission for the iconic Tallawoladah Lawn in front of the Museum overlooking Warrane, Sydney Harbour, to be presented annually over the next three years.      Price is renowned for his large-scale sculptural works of fictional figures which frame the ordinary as the extraordinary and celebrate individuals engaged in everyday activity. His works challenge the perception of traditional public monuments commemorating historical figures, and often disrupt Western traditions to elevate the everyday lives of people of colour.     ‘For me, sculpture is about understanding your environment and your place in space, your connection to others and capacity for empathy.’ - Thomas J Price     The Neil Balnaves Tallawoladah Lawn Commission is named in honour of Australian philanthropist Neil Balnaves AO (1944–2022) and made possible by the generous support of The Balnaves Foundation.      —     Photos: Installation view, ‘Thomas J Price. Thoughts Unseen’, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2022, courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth, Photo: Ken Adlard; Thomas J Price, Image courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth, © the artist, photograph: Ollie Adegboye #MCAAustralia  

Thank you to the incredible artists who have donated work to our auction to support the MCA’s major annual fundraising event, MCA Artists Ball, on 19 October. This year the event will be honouring celebrated Australian artist, Shaun Gladwell. Special mention to the following artists and gallerists for their support. Artists: Shaun Gladwell, Danie Mellor, Jonny Niesche, Michael Zavros, Nell, Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran, Tony Albert Gallerists: PALAS, Sydney, STATION Gallery Australia, Sullivan + Strumpf Fine Art, Tolarno Galleries, 1301SW, Melbourne and Sydney — Photos: Shaun Gladwell, ‘Ali Into Red’, 2011, image courtesy the artist and PALAS, Sydney; Danie Mellor, ‘On the edge of light’, 2023, image courtesy the artist and Tolarno Galleries; Nell, ‘The ghost who walks will never die (sunshine #9)’, 2024, image courtesy the artist and STATION, photo: Jenni Carter; Michael Zavros, ‘Saint Cloud (after Atget)’, 2024, image courtesy the artist; Jonny Niesche, ‘Heatwave vision’, 2024, image courtesy the artist and 1301SW, Melbourne and Sydney and Starkwhite, Auckland; Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran, ‘Gold Figure with Spiky Head’, 2024, image courtesy the artist and Sullivan+Strumpf; Tony Albert, ‘Unpacking History (Dispel)’, 2024, image courtesy the artist and Sullivan+Strumpf All images © the artists

Canvas Restaurant is now open.   Located on Level 4 of the Museum, experience the MCA’s newly transformed space alongside a seasonal Chef-in-Residence, opening with guest chef Josh Raine.   Canvas is open Wednesday – Sunday for lunch, joining the MCA Cafe at Tallawoladah which is open daily, Monday Friday (7am – 5pm) and weekends (9am – 5pm).   The Loti Smorgon Sculpture Terrace on Level 4 remains open for everyone to enjoy the MCA's sculpture commissions and elevated Sydney Harbour views. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ghiwJ_ck

New York-based artist Julie Mehretu, set to unveil a major exhibition at the MCA this summer, has been commissioned to create an 83-foot-tall installation for the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. 'Uprising of the Sun' will be Mehretu's first work made with glass and is inspired by President Obama’s remarks at the 50th anniversary of the marches from Selma to Montgomery, which took place in 2015. Learn more about this extraordinary commission, with thanks to our friends at the Obama Foundation. Tickets to ‘Julie Mehretu: A Transcore of the Radical Imaginatory’ are on sale now. Receive 20% off tickets until 31 October. Head here to book: https://lnkd.in/gR5564sj #JulieMehretu #MCAAustralia — Video credit: Obama Foundation