A group of seven pears lie on the footpath on your way to the National Gallery of Australia.
To some they may represent the fruits of art that lie within the gallery building: sculptures, paintings, drawings, illuminated text, glass forms...
The pears are the work of George Baldesin (1929-1978) who was born in Italy and lived in Australia from 1949 after having lived and worked in England, Italy, Brazil and France.
Where is the Gallery?
The National Gallery of Australia is in Canberra at the base of the triangle formed by Commonwealth Ave, Kings Ave and Lake Burley Griffin with the Australian Parliament at its apex. It is located at Parkes Place in Parkes just south of the lake.
The gallery building houses permanent and visiting exhibitions covering a wide spectrum of Australian and other countries' art.
When is it open?
The National Gallery is open every day of the year, except Christmas Day, from 10am to 5pm. Special exhibitions may have different opening hours.
Pieces of sculpture
There are a number of sculptures both inside the building and on its grounds.
Located by one of the entrances to the National Gallery building, for instance, is a red and black painted sculpture, La Bobine, which attests to the international character of the art treasures contained within.
La Bobine is a painted steel sculpture made in 1970 by Alexander Calder (1898-1976) of the United States and purchased by the National Gallery in 1972.
There is a Sculpture Garden as well.
Paintings and other art works
Inside the National Gallery are a wide range of paintings and other art works ranging from Aboriginal paintings to those by Australian artists such as Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan and Arthur Stretton.
There are also works by English, European and other painters of the world.
Visiting exhibitions
The touring exhibitions at the National Gallery of Australia are a highlight of the Canberra cultural calendar. There is normally a charge to view visiting exhibitions.
In a harking back to the classics, visiting exhibitions have included works by such artists as Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Vermeer, Monet, Manet, and even more modern masters such as Picasso.
Contemporary art forms
In 1999, the National Gallery of Art presented an exhibition of the works of American blown-glass sculptor Dale Chihuly.
Chihuly, whose Red Spears was planted in the gardens of Government House in Sydney during the Sydney Festival of 1998, is no stranger to Australia.
Chihuly's glass blown sculptures, in a major Canberra exhibition, show that the National Gallery does not shy away from presenting newer art forms to its public.
In fact, its works of art include not only paintings and sculptures but also prints, drawings, photographs, ceramics, silverware, furniture, fashion, textiles.
The Gallery building
The National Gallery of Australia building was constructed between 1974 and 1982. It was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on October 12, 1982.
