A Guide to the Art Galleries In Perth

There are a few key facts that simply must be known when venturing into a city like Perth. Where the finest bars are situated is up the top of most people’s lists, as is where the most satisfying eats are located.

Another, on an arguably more cultural note, is where one will find the best art galleries in Perth.

So here you have it. This is your comprehensive, but far from tedious, guide to the big, small, and out there art galleries in Perth.

The Art Gallery of Western Australia

This immense gallery has been offering visitors the opportunity to discover historic and contemporary art since 1895. The AGWA has a focus on artists from Australia and the Indian Ocean Rim, but displays international artists too, in a range of permanent and temporary exhibitions. The gallery is visited by roughly 400,000 people every year and boasts a collection of over 17,000 works, including up to 3,000 Indigenous works.

Where: Perth Cultural Centre on Roe Street

Gallows Gallery

Displaying a diverse range of mediums from some of the country’s most popular and successful artists in a bright and light-filled gallery space, Gallows aims to “create a gallery that redefines the way in which Australian art is bought and sold. A space where artists love to exhibit and buyers love to visit …”

Where: 53 Glyde Street, Mosman Park

Perth Institute of Contemporary Art

Housed in a handsome heritage building, PICA is all about the experimental and innovative, and aims to be the “the city’s focal point for those wishing to experience the best of Australian and international visual, performance and interdisciplinary art”. So, if that’s your jam, PICA is your place.

Where: Perth Cultural Centre, James Street

Aspects of Kings Park

A gift store as much as a gallery, Aspects has a focus on local artists and artworks that reflect the Australian landscape and biodiversity. If you’re wandering around Kings Park, which everyone should do, Aspects is definitely worth a gander.

Where: 68 Fraser Avenue, Kings Park

Aboriginal Art Gallery

Perched under the lookout on Fraser Avenue, this petite gallery offers a mix of stunning traditional and unexpectedly bright and exploratory contemporary Aboriginal artworks.

Where: Fraser Ave, Kings Park

Linton and Kay Galleries

Directors Linton Partington and Gary Kay are proud and passionate purveyors of fine art and have several well-lit and well-spaced galleries in gorgeous Perth and Subiaco locations that show off their vast and ever-changing collections.

Where: Subiaco and Perth

Other art galleries in Perth to check out include Fremantle Arts Centre, Buratti Fine Art, Japingka Aboriginal Art, Turner Galleries and Nyisztor Studio.

words by niall roeder