‘The National 2021: New Australian Art’ – the third edition of a six-year, biennial initiative – explores the latest ideas and forms in contemporary Australian art in a major survey presented across three Sydney venues: Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) from 26 March to 5 September; Carriageworks from 26 March to 20 June 2021; and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) from 26 March to 22 August 2021.
Curated by Matt Cox and Erin Vink (AGNSW), Abigail Moncrieff (Carriageworks), and Rachel Kent (MCA), ‘The National 2021’ focuses on the environment, its destruction and our planetary responsibility; global uncertainty; and our relationship to Country, collaboration and inter-generational learning.

Karrabing Film Collective, Day in the Life # 2 (still), 2020, HD with subtitles, colour, sound, 32 minutes, 37 seconds. © the artists. Courtesy the artists and Carriageworks, Sydney
The event will showcase 39 new and commissioned works including painting, photography, film, sculpture, textiles, installation and performance by leading contemporary Australian artists, collectives and collaboratives from across the country including, urban and regional centres, and remote communities such as the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY Lands), Yirrkala in north-east Arnhem Land, Zendah Kes (Torres Strait Islands), and Belyuen, on the north-west coast of the Northern Territory.
Artists include Vernon Ah Kee and Dalisa Pigram with Marrugeku, Mitch Cairns, Lorraine Connelly-Northey, Agatha Gothe-Snape, Alana Hunt, Kate Just, Deborah Kelly, Betty Kuntiwa Pumani, Sally Smart, Abdullah M.I. Syed, Darren Sylvester, Alick Tipoti, James Tylor, Brendan Van Hek, Judy Watson, John Wolseley and Judith Wright, to name a few.
‘The National 2021’ presents talks, tours, performances and activities for all ages.
Visit the following websites for details:
the-national.com.au
artgallery.nsw.gov.au
carriageworks.com.au
mca.com.au