At 2 Raper St in Surry Hills, the Brett Whiteley Studio brings together the Australian artist’s paintings and the rooms where he lived and worked. Browse a changing selection of works, then look closely at the studio’s unfinished canvases, sketchbooks, photographs and music collection. Displays include work from Whiteley’s time in Fiji and New York, offering a glimpse of his experiments across different periods. Entry is free, and a small shop stocks books and other items. The studio is open Thursday to Sunday.
A warehouse turned home and studio
Brett Whiteley bought the former warehouse in 1985 and adapted it as a home, studio and exhibition space. He lived and worked there from 1987 until 1992. The rooms give the gallery a different feel from a display space built solely for art: the place itself is part of the visit.
The studio is preserved as a record of Whiteley’s working life. Unfinished paintings and art equipment sit alongside the belongings that surrounded him, including furniture, books and records. Sketchbooks, postcards and photographs add personal detail to the picture of the artist’s life.
Paintings, experiments and objects
Exhibitions present Whiteley’s work across different periods and can change over time. Past displays have included works made between 1959 and 1969, a decade marked by travel and experimentation. Pieces associated with Fiji and New York offer points of comparison within that body of work; a 1968 collage titled New York 1 is among the works noted in a past exhibition.
The studio’s collection spans more than paintings. Visitors can encounter sketches, sculptures and personal memorabilia, as well as the books and images Whiteley kept around him. The mix helps connect finished works with the materials and references that occupied the rooms where he created.
Seeing the working rooms
Set aside time to look both at the artworks on display and at the studio itself. The interior retains the character of a working space, with unfinished pieces and creative materials among the objects on view. A large multi-panel work, Alchemy, has been singled out for its scale, detail and humorous touches; check the current display if you are visiting specifically to see a particular artwork.
The gallery is managed by the Art Gallery of New South Wales. It is at 2 Raper Street in Surry Hills, on a back street, so look for signs around Devonshire and Bourke Streets as you approach. The building has a lift to the studio level, as well as stairs, and accessible restroom facilities. Entry is free. A small shop sells items including books, postcards and art prints.
Häufige Fragen
Is entry to Brett Whiteley Studio free?
Yes. Entry is free.
When is Brett Whiteley Studio open?
It is open Thursday to Sunday, from 10 am to 4 pm, and closed Monday to Wednesday.
Do you need to book tickets in advance?
Advance booking is not required. Visitor numbers may be limited, so check the studio’s website before your visit.
Where is Brett Whiteley Studio?
The studio is at 2 Raper St, Surry Hills, Sydney.
