Connecting art, people and ideas
Macquarie University's art collections are an important part of Australia's national heritage.
We're dedicated to their interpretation, display, preservation and management for the benefit of present and future generations.
Collection highlights
Our collections contains over 3991 items and crosses a range of mediums from painting, photography, prints and drawings to glassware, ceramics, textiles and video works.
The artworks showcase a diversity of artistic practices and genres and cultural identities, with particular strengths in Australian Modernism, Contemporary Art, and a significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander collection.
Highlighting the diversity of practice that characterises Australian art from the first half of the twentieth century, our collections include some of Australia's most prominent modernist artists such as Sidney Nolan, Grace Cossington-Smith, Fred Williams, Margaret Preston, Russell Drysdale, Tony Tuckson and Arthur Boyd.
Established in 1967, Macquarie University's Art Collection has always reflected fresh approaches and new voices in art. Explore contemporary Australian and international artists including Joanna Braithwaite, Elisabeth Cummings, Paula Dawson, Dale Frank, Michael Johnson, lldiko Kovacs, Stephen Birch and Robert Rooney.
Reflecting the rich heritage and diverse contemporary visual expression of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, the Collection features many highlights including works by seminal artists such as Trevor Nickolls, Naata Nungurrayi, George Ward Tjapaltjarri and Gloria Petyarre.
Viewing the collection
Our collection adorns the entire campus with artwork on display in the library, the faculties, the hospital, the clinics, and the administration buildings, where staff, students and visitors collectively encounter art as part of the everyday life of Macquarie’s expansive campus.
The paintings and sculptures add robust vitality, freshness and bursts of colour to the physical environment of the campus − its visual presence is certainly much felt, discussed and enjoyed.
If you're interested in an internal loan of artworks from the collection, contact our curatorial staff.
Using the collection
The collection is utilised for learning, teaching and research purposes and is highly regarded amongst the on-campus community as a resource that supports student success and scholarly enquiry. Previous projects have included jointly curated exhibitions, practice-based workshops, and supervision of PACE students.
Learn more about our educational programs or contact our curatorial staff to discuss how we can partner with you.