There are multiple art galleries around Perth with stellar reputations and beautiful art, both state- and privately-owned. Visiting every art gallery in Perth is an incredibly hard task, but you would be missing out if you didn’t check out at least one of these locations.
The largest art gallery in Perth is the Art Gallery of WA, located in the Perth Cultural Centre. The State’s Art Collection housed here contains over 18 600 works valued at $361 million, and is well-regarded for its collection of works by Indigenous artists, and those from WA. Their exhibitions are usually accompanied by events like artist talks, music and performance art, with international artists regularly drawing a crowd, but the major drawcard is the rooftop space. The roof of AGWA contains a sculpture walk, rooftop bar, and the 34-metre long Targets, a mural by Noongar artist Christopher Pease, accompanied by CBD skyline views.
Also in the Perth Cultural Centre is the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts. This gallery focuses on up-and-comers, hosting a program of performances in dance and theatre alongside the visual art. For 30 years the gallery both produces and presents the work of local artists in an effort to encourage innovation and the Perth arts scene.
Further from the CBD, the Lawrence Wilson Art Galley at the University of Western Australia displays works from the University’s 90+ year collection. The exhibitions carry with them events similar to AGWA, in artist talks, lectures and presentations. The University architecture is well-known for its classic style, but the art gallery bucks the trend with their contemporary exhibitions. Fremantle is also a hub for arts and art galleries, the Fremantle Arts Centre being a fixture to the arts scene there. It hosts exhibitions year-round, classes and concerts, and the building itself is art to appreciate, the gothic-style building heritage-listed, a former lunatic asylum.
Aboriginal Art galleries are the easiest way to ensure your purchasing of their art is ethical, and to appreciate their rich cultural traditions. Artitja Fine Art Gallery is based in South Fremantle, and maintains relationships with twenty Aboriginal Art Centres around WA, the NT and SA, selling their paintings and supporting their communities.