Drill Hall Gallery

Drill Hall Gallery Situated on Australian National University campus. The venue of choice for many of Australia’s leading contemporary artists, curators and collectors.

Closed temporarily until mid 2026 for renovation. The Drill Hall Gallery supports the arts in the Ngunnawal and Ngambri region by presenting exhibitions developed in conjunction with the wide ranging academic interests of the ANU and coinciding with major conferences and public events.

FLOOR TALK: Painting Itself / 绘画本身Join us for a floor talk and tour of Painting Itself / 绘画本身Thursday 4 June 1:15pmSunda...
29/05/2026

FLOOR TALK: Painting Itself / 绘画本身

Join us for a floor talk and tour of Painting Itself / 绘画本身
Thursday 4 June 1:15pm
Sunday 14 June 1pm
Free, no registrations required

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Painting Itself / 绘画本身 continues until 28 June 2026
Open: Tue–Fri 10:30am–3pm, Sat and Sun 11am–4pm
ANU School of Art & Design Gallery

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Image: Painting Itself / 绘画本身, installation view, ANU School of Art & Design Gallery, 2026. Photo: David Paterson

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Thanks to everyone who attended last weeks wonderful in conversation with exhibition curator Jonathan Nichols, artists R...
28/05/2026

Thanks to everyone who attended last weeks wonderful in conversation with exhibition curator Jonathan Nichols, artists Ruth Waller and Peter Alwast, and DHG Hassall Writers Fellow Quentin Sprague.

Painting Itself / 绘画本身 continues until 28 June 2026
Open: Tue–Fri 10:30am–3pm, Sat and Sun 11am–4pm
ANU School of Art & Design Gallery


28/05/2026

For today’s Art Bite we visited the HC Coombs Tea Room to discuss the paintings ‘Wilkinkara site’, 2000, by Ronnie Tjampitjinpa, one of the founding members of the Western Desert Art movement, and Ildiko Kovaks’ painting, ‘Inner cycle’, 2016, generously donated to the ANU Art Collection by the artist following her brilliant survey exhibition Ildiko Kovacs: the DNA of colour at Drill Hall Gallery in 2019.

Thanks to retired Drill Hall Gallery Director Terence Maloon and the Drill Hall’s Hassall Writers Fellow Quentin Sprague for leading the discussion.

Our next Art Bite is Thursday 11 June, 1:15pm. Venue TBC. See our website for more details, dhg.anu.edu.au

Thanks to everyone who attended the opening of Painting Itself / 绘画本身 last Thursday evening.Painting Itself / 绘画本身 conti...
27/05/2026

Thanks to everyone who attended the opening of Painting Itself / 绘画本身 last Thursday evening.

Painting Itself / 绘画本身 continues until 28 June 2026
Open: Tue–Fri 10:30am–3pm, Sat and Sun 11am–4pm
ANU School of Art & Design Gallery

Images 2–10 by Greg McAnulty

ART BITES: HC Coombs Tea RoomJoin retired Drill Hall Gallery Director Terence Maloon and the Drill Hall’s Hassall Writer...
27/05/2026

ART BITES: HC Coombs Tea Room

Join retired Drill Hall Gallery Director Terence Maloon and the Drill Hall’s Hassall Writers Fellow Quentin Sprague in the HC Coombs Tea Room to discuss the painting 'Wilkinkara site', 2000, by Ronnie Tjampitjinpa, one of the founding members of the Western Desert Art movement. Opposite 'Wilkinkara site' is Ildiko Kovaks’ painting, 'Inner cycle', 2016, generously donated to the ANU Art Collection by the artist following her brilliant survey exhibition 'Ildiko Kovacs: the DNA of colour' at the ANU Drill Hall Gallery in 2019.

Thursday 28 May, 1:15pm
HC Coombs Tea Room, 9 Fellows Rd, ANU
Free to attend, no bookings required

Have you ever wondered about art works in your building? Or sculptures on your walk through campus? The ANU is peppered with remarkable and nationally significant artworks managed by the ANU Art Collection team. Lunchtime 'Art Bites' are held fortnightly during semesters, facilitated by Drill Hall Gallery staff and co-hosted by artists, academics, and students. Expect a short informative introduction on the artworks followed by questions and an open conversation. Get to know your campus, learn to talk about art, build your cultural community, join the conversation.

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Image: Art Bites at the Florey Building, ANU featuring Lenton Parr’s 1964 steel sculpture, 'Untitled' [John Curtin memorial sculpture]

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IN CONVERSATION: Painting Itself / 绘画本身Join exhibition curator Jonathan Nichols in conversation with artists Ruth Waller...
21/05/2026

IN CONVERSATION: Painting Itself / 绘画本身

Join exhibition curator Jonathan Nichols in conversation with artists Ruth Waller and Peter Alwast, and DHG Hassall Writers Fellow Quentin Sprague.

Friday 22 May, 12pm
ANU School of Art & Design Gallery
Free to attend, no registrations required

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TOUR: Curators exhibition tour
Join exhibition curator Jonathan Nichols for a tour of Painting Itself / 绘画本身.

Saturday 23 May, 2pm
ANU School of Art & Design Gallery
Free to attend, no registrations required

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The Drill Hall Gallery has partnered with Perth Institute of Contemporary Art to present Painting Itself / 绘画本身. Curated by Jonathan Nichols the exhibition explores a horizontal culture in painting, where fundamental ideas about its history and vitality – long the influence of European and American values – are being reshaped in East and Southeast Asia. A common understanding is that painters look for the ‘face’ of their work, that aspect of a painting that looks back at them. Each of the artists in the exhibition takes on this idea, leaning into the mood and psychic processes of their own painting, with its inner constraints and struggles.

The exhibition presents the work of five artists: Jon Chan (Singapore), Un Cheng (Hong Kong), Chris Huen Sin-Kan (Hong Kong/London), Noor Mahnun (Malaysia), Tang Dixin (China).

Painting Itself / 绘画本身 on show 22 May – 28 June 2026
Open: Tue–Fri 10:30am–3pm, Sat and Sun 11am–4pm

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NOTE: Given the prolonged closure of the Drill Hall Gallery for roof works and hazard remediation, this exhibition will be displayed at the ANU School of Art & Design Gallery.

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Image: Noor Mahnun, 'Recorder' 2025, 'Painting Itself', installation view, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA), 2026. Photo: Guy Louden.

May Friends Night: Painting Itself / 绘画本身Friday 29 May, 5:30pmANU School of Art & Design GalleryRegister via the link in...
15/05/2026

May Friends Night: Painting Itself / 绘画本身

Friday 29 May, 5:30pm
ANU School of Art & Design Gallery
Register via the link in our bio or at dhg.anu.edu.au

We hope to see you this Friends night as we gather on more familiar ground in the Painting Itself / 绘画本身 exhibition at ANU School of Art & Design Gallery.

If not already a member you can join the Friends online or over the phone.

While the Drill Hall is closed for roof remediation Friends events will take place at alternate venues on and off campus. If you require accessibility accommodations or a visitor Personal Emergency Evacuation plan please contact the event organiser.

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Image: Painting Itself / 绘画本身, installation view, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA), 2026. Photo: Guy Louden.

14/05/2026

Thanks to everyone who attended our lunchtime Art Bites today at at ANU Florey building. Works included Lenton Parr’s 1964 steel sculpture, Untitled, and Lawrence Daws’ 1957 painting, Aboriginal Camp.

Our next Art Bite is Thursday 28 May at 1:15pm. Location announced soon.

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UPCOMING EVENTS: Painting Itself / 绘画本身---TALK: Curator in conversationJoin exhibition curator Jonathan Nichols in conve...
14/05/2026

UPCOMING EVENTS: Painting Itself / 绘画本身

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TALK: Curator in conversation
Join exhibition curator Jonathan Nichols in conversation with artists Ruth Waller and Peter Alwast, and DHG Hassall Writers Fellow Quentin Sprague.

Friday 22 May, 12pm
ANU School of Art & Design Gallery
Free to attend, no registrations required

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TOUR: Curators exhibition tour
Join exhibition curator Jonathan Nichols for a tour of Painting Itself / 绘画本身.

Saturday 23 May, 2pm
ANU School of Art & Design Gallery
Free to attend, no registrations required

---

The Drill Hall Gallery has partnered with Perth Institute of Contemporary Art to present Painting Itself / 绘画本身. Curated by Jonathan Nichols the exhibition explores a horizontal culture in painting, where fundamental ideas about its history and vitality – long the influence of European and American values – are being reshaped in East and Southeast Asia. A common understanding is that painters look for the ‘face’ of their work, that aspect of a painting that looks back at them. Each of the artists in the exhibition takes on this idea, leaning into the mood and psychic processes of their own painting, with its inner constraints and struggles.

The exhibition presents the work of five artists: Jon Chan (Singapore), Un Cheng (Hong Kong), Chris Huen Sin-Kan (Hong Kong/London), Noor Mahnun (Malaysia), Tang Dixin (China).

Painting Itself / 绘画本身 on show 22 May – 28 June 2026
Open: Tue–Fri 10:30am–3pm, Sat and Sun 11am–4pm

--

NOTE: Given the prolonged closure of the Drill Hall Gallery for roof works and hazard remediation, this exhibition will be displayed at the ANU School of Art & Design Gallery.

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Image: Noor Mahnun, Painting Itself / 绘画本身, installation view, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA), 2026. Photo: Guy Louden.

Address

Kingsley Street
Canberra, ACT
2601

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

(02) 6125 5832

Website

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