An exhibition from Art Nouveau pioneer Alphonse Mucha is set to become the first historical show at the new wing of the Art Gallery of NSW.
The Czech painter and illustrator (1860–1939) shot to fame in the 1890s with a theatre poster for actress Sarah Bernhardt, who was arguably the world’s first global celebrity.
Mucha's posters of the "Divine Sarah" were pasted up everywhere in Paris, only to be quickly ripped down by artists and collectors.
Their popularity, and collectability, helped propel Art Nouveau as a movement, creating a new visual language that defined the style of Paris in the late 19th century.
Opening in June, Alphonse Mucha: Spirit of Art Nouveau will be the most comprehensive display of the artist's work ever shown in Australia.
The exhibition is drawn from the Mucha family's collection and will feature posters, illustrations, jewellery and interiors from the artist's career across five decades.
The program also features the first major museum survey of Australian abstract painting pioneer Lesley Dumbrell, showing not only her massive paintings but also her recent forays into sculpture.
South Korean minimalist painter and sculptor Lee Ufan is also on the bill, along with a show of paintings, ceramics, murals and sketchbooks by Archibald prizewinner Wendy Sharpe, with a partially reconstructed studio built inside the gallery.
2024 also promises a major new commission for the underground Tank gallery: The Rites of When from Angelica Mesiti.
There are still two "blockbuster" international shows yet to be announced for 2024–25.
An exhibition of Brett Whiteley's work from AGNSW as well as the Brett Whiteley Studio will tour to Queensland, Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria.
