Dangerously Modern exhibition

Explore the art and lives of 50 trailblazing women artists in the major exhibition Dangerously Modern: Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890–1940 at the Art Gallery of NSW.

★★★★★ ‘Dangerously Modern is a beautiful, thought-provoking exhibition and it pulsates with unapologetic female energy. It is must viewing’ –ArtsHub At the turn of the 20th century, an unprecedented wave of women artists prevailed against social constraints and left Australia to pursue international professional careers. This is the first major exhibition to focus on the vital role of these Australian women in the emergence of international modernism, including the now-famous, such as Nora Heysen, Margaret Preston and Grace Cossington Smith, as well as the still under-recognised, such as Agnes Goodsir, Justine Kong Sing and Helen Stewart.

Featuring celebrated and rediscovered paintings, prints, drawings, sculpture and ceramics, _Dangerously Modern: Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890–1940 _reclaims the place of these pivotal Australian women artists, recognising their contribution to the development of European art. They brought new ideas back to Australia and played an integral, often unrecognised role in modernising our nation. With more than 200 works, Dangerously Modern expands our understanding of modern art movements, including realism, impressionism, post-impressionism, cubism and abstraction. The works in this show challenge preexisting notions of ambition and success, and explore colour, light, form and movement. On now at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, until 15 February 2025 Enjoy 2-for-1 tickets on Wednesday nights during Art After Hours

Breaking Boundaries, Shaping Modernism At the close of the nineteenth century, a remarkable generation of Australian women made a choice that would have seemed unthinkable to their mothers: they left home.

Armed with talent, determination, and an unshakeable conviction in their right to professional artistic lives, they boarded ships bound for Europe's great cultural capitals—Paris, London, Munich, Florence—seeking training, recognition, and creative freedom unavailable to them at home. Dangerously Modern tells their story for the first time at this scale and with this focus. These fifty artists were not passive observers of European modernism; they were active participants, exhibitors, and innovators who absorbed new movements, challenged conventions, and forged distinctive voices within the international avant-garde. The title of this exhibition speaks to the risks these women embraced. To be modern was itself dangerous for women of this era—it meant rejecting domesticity, claiming public space, and insisting on intellectual and creative equality. To pursue art professionally, unmarried and unchaperoned across continents, was more dangerous still.

Many sacrificed personal stability for artistic growth. Some achieved fame; others were forgotten by histories that privileged their male contemporaries. This exhibition restores their place. From the luminous realism of Nora Heysen to the bold experimentation of Margaret Preston, from the quietly radical portraits of Agnes Goodsir to the overlooked contributions of Justine Kong Sing and Helen Stewart, these works collectively reframe our understanding of who shaped modern art—and remind us that Australian women were there from the beginning, brush in hand, claiming their space.

Exhibition Loan and Acquisition Guidelines Works considered for inclusion in Dangerously Modern: Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890–1940 must meet the following criteria: Artist Eligibility The artist must be a woman who was born in Australia or emigrated to Australia and identified as Australian during her career The artist must have spent a significant period studying, working, or exhibiting in Europe between 1890 and 1940 Artists who travelled briefly without sustained European engagement are generally not included Work Eligibility Works must date from the period 1890–1940 Works created in Europe or demonstrating clear influence of European training and modernist movements are prioritised All media are considered, including painting, works on paper, sculpture, ceramics, and prints Works must be in stable condition suitable for exhibition and travel Clear provenance documentation is required Loan Considerations Works from public institutions, private collections, and artist estates are welcomed Lenders must agree to the exhibition's touring schedule and standard loan conditions Insurance and transport arrangements will be coordinated by the Art Gallery of NSW

Visitor Information and Exhibition Terms Ticketing Dangerously Modern is a ticketed exhibition. Standard admission fees apply unless otherwise specified. Concession pricing is available for seniors, students, and pension cardholders with valid identification. Art Gallery of NSW members receive complimentary or discounted entry as per membership tier. 2-for-1 ticket pricing is available on Wednesday evenings during Art After Hours.

This offer cannot be combined with other discounts. Photography and Recording Photography for personal, non-commercial use is permitted in designated areas only. Flash photography, tripods, and selfie sticks are not permitted. Some works may be restricted from photography due to loan conditions; please observe signage. Video recording and live streaming are prohibited.

Conduct Visitors must maintain a safe distance from all artworks; please do not touch works or display cases. Large bags and backpacks must be stored in lockers provided. Food and beverages are not permitted in exhibition galleries. Accessibility The exhibition is wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs are available for loan at the welcome desk. Accessible seating is provided throughout the galleries. Audio guides and large-print resources are available upon request.

General Exhibition dates, opening hours, and programming are subject to change without notice. The Art Gallery of NSW reserves the right to refuse entry or ask visitors to leave if terms are not observed. Tickets are non-refundable except where required by law.

Dangerously Modern: Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890–1940 Exhibition Catalogue This landmark publication accompanies the most comprehensive exhibition ever mounted on Australian women artists who pursued professional careers in Europe during the transformative decades between 1890 and 1940. Across more than 300 pages, Dangerously Modern presents over 200 works spanning painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, and ceramics, many reproduced in full colour for the first time. The catalogue opens with a series of scholarly essays examining the social, political, and artistic contexts that both constrained and propelled these women. Contributors explore the networks of support and rivalry that developed among expatriate Australian artists, the specific challenges women faced in accessing professional training, and the varied ways they engaged with movements from impressionism through abstraction. Individual artist entries provide biographical information, critical analysis, and detailed catalogue entries for exhibited works. The volume pays equal attention to celebrated figures such as Nora Heysen, Margaret Preston, and Grace Cossington Smith, and to artists whose contributions have been overlooked or forgotten, including Agnes Goodsir, Justine Kong Sing, and Helen Stewart. Richly illustrated with archival photographs, letters, and studio images alongside the artworks themselves, this catalogue serves as an essential reference for understanding Australian women's vital and too-long-unrecognised role in the development of international modernism. It is both a scholarly resource and a celebration of ambition, resilience, and creative vision. Published by the Art Gallery of NSW 320 pages | Full colour throughout | Hardcover with cloth binding Essays by leading scholars in Australian art history Complete exhibition checklist and selected bibliography