Explore the Collection
Since 1956, Wollongong City Council has been building an art collection that reflects the region’s cultural character and evolving artistic identity. The earliest acquisitions were made through the Wollongong Art Purchase Committee, drawing from local art prize exhibitions and community support. These works, along with significant gifts, formed the foundation of the Collection when Wollongong Art Gallery opened in 1978.
Today, the Wollongong Art Gallery Collection comprises more than 3000 works and is guided by a focus on Australian art across three core areas:
First Nations Art
A growing collection of works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, spanning from the mid-20th century to the present. This area reflects the Gallery’s commitment to truth-telling, cultural custodianship and ongoing relationships with First Nations communities across Australia, with a strong emphasis and focus on works from Dharawal Country.
Australian Art: Colonial to Modern
Works dating from the 19th century through to the mid-20th century that chart the development of Australian art and visual culture, from early landscape traditions to modernist experimentation with a focus on works depicting the Illawarra and South Coast region.
Contemporary Australian Art
Art from 1960 to today across drawing, painting, photography, ceramics, prints, sculpture, moving image and installation, with a particular emphasis on artists connected to the Illawarra, South Coast and broader regional contexts.
Tap the button below to explore the works in our Collection.
You can also visit our Policies and Plans page to learn about how we build and manage our Collection.