NSW Art Gallery - Open Until 10pm on Wednesdays - Always a big drawcard for the NSW Art Gallery, the Archibald portrait exhibition is held annually between May - August. I rarely miss a year and occasionally go more than once. The Archibald gets the most attention and it’s where I spend most of my time. The Sulman (genre) and Wynne (landscape) exhibitions are smaller and less showy but all three are included in the one ticket price. We went recently on Wednesday night when the gallery is open late. Entry to the Gallery is free but you pay for special exhibitions like this one. However after 5 pm on a Wednesday, they offer a special 2-for-1 ticket deal ($25). The gallery suggests booking ahead. We weren’t sure of our plans so we didn’t and we had no trouble getting tickets. The gallery was lively and fun in the evening, with lots of people flowing through the exhibitions and enjoying a glass of wine afterwards. It was a great time to go. It’s hard to resist seeking out the famous faces. The portrait of Nicole Kidman and her sister, Antonia, drew lots of comments (mainly speculation on Nicole’s tight, age-defying face). I preferred Sally Ryan’s portrait of Kathy Lette. Bright and colourful, the semi-surrealist portrait of Kathy Lette is a lot of fun and seems to capture her irreverent spirit. Not surprisingly, the winning portrait (Julie Fragar’s J ‘Flagship Mother Multiverse’) attracted a small crowd. We had to be a little patient and wait for the crowd to thin. There’s a lot to take in with this painting. NOTE: Even thought the Tripadvisor title for this listing is “Archibald, Wynne, Sulman 2025”, this is an annual event which has been running since 1921.

Never Disappoints on my annual interstate visit - My annual pilgrimage to Sydney to see the gallery in June with the triple, Archibald Sulman and Wynn is always much anticipated and never disappoints. The little side, Asian and modern etc galleries around also serve up a treat of the unexpected. Love it.