About the exhibition

Dubbed 'the last Bohemian', Charles Conder was closely associated with the so-called Heidelberg School of artists. Sent as a youth from London to Sydney to work as a surveyor in 1884, he subsequently met Tom Roberts with whom he painted the Hawkesbury region and Sydney's beaches. Moving to Melbourne in 1888, he joined other artists such as Arthur Streeton and Frederick McCubbin at the artists' camps at Eaglemont and Heidelberg where he painted many of his now-famous landscapes. The Art Gallery of South Australia's masterpiece, A Holiday at Mentone, 1888, shows Conder at his best, with its complex composition, brilliant palette and vigorous brushwork, and its strong homage to the art of Japan. Conder sailed for Europe in 1890 and never returned to Australia, yet his career continued to flourish. In  1890s Paris and London he befriended some of the most famous, indeed infamous, artists and writers of the day, including Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Aubrey Beardsley and Oscar Wilde. He died tragically early, succumbing in his fortieth year to syphilis which had afflicted him from the age of nineteen.

This is the first major retrospective exhibition of this popular artist. Containing over sixty works, it places the artist's Australian paintings next to those produced later in Europe, and includes watercolours on silk, books, drawings and prints in addition to oil paintings. The exhibition Charles Conder has been initiated by the Art Gallery of New South Wales and is curated by Ann Galbally and Barry Pearce.

Admission charges

Guided Tours and Special Tours

Guided Tours
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 2 pm
Meet at the entrance to the exhibition. Entry fees apply - see above

Special Tours: Conder on Sunday
23 & 30 November, 7& 14 December and 11, 18 & 25 January at 3 pm
Max Carter, AO, a major benefactor to the Art Gallery of South Australia, will speak about his passion for the work of Charles Conder and his intriguing journey of discovery about the artists and his work.
Meet at the exhibition entrance to Gallery 22. Entry fees apply.

Private Tours
Get a group together of ten people or more and have your own private tour.
Telephone 8207 7075 or 8207 7035 to be put in touch with the Gallery Guide Booking Officer
(Please note that approximately 2 weeks notice is required)

Exhibition entry fees apply

Tuesday 25 November at 12.45 pm
Sarah Thomas, Curator of Australian Art, speaks about Charles Conder's work Departure of the Orient - Circular Quay, 1888.

Thursday 4 December at 12 45 pm
Dr John West-Sooby presents a talk, in French, on the art of Charles Conder.

Tuesday 16 December at 12.45 pm
Ron Radford, Director, speaks about A holiday at Mentone, 1888 and other selected works in the exhibition.

Free Public Lecture

Saturday 6 December at 1 pm
Charles Conder and the 9 by 5 exhibition of 1889
Terence Lane, Senior Curator at the National Gallery of Victoria, speaks about Conder's contribution to the famous 9 by 5 Impressionism exhibition at Buxton's Rooms, Melbourne, 1889. The Lecture, with slides, looks at the role played by Conder and the works that survive from the exhibition. Free.

Members' Events

Friday 21 November at 6.10 pm
Private after hours viewing
Sarah Thomas, Curator of Australian Art, gives guests an exclusive tour of this major retrospective exhibition of paintings, lithographs, works on silk and books. A perfect way to learn more about the works of art and wander through the exhibition at leisure. The viewing is followed by a light supper with refreshments.
Tickets: $30, Members $25
Bookings: call Yvonne telephone: 8207 7050

Thursday 15 & Thursday 22 January at 11 am
A walk with Conder
Tour the exhibition with an Art Gallery Guide followed by morning tea in the Members Lounge.
Tickets: $15, Members $12 (includes exhibition entry)
Bookings: call Yvonne telephone: 8207 7050

Wednesday 21 January, 1 - 4 pm
Silk Painting with Robyn Henwood, textile designer
Charles Conder was renowned for his exotic paintings on silk, sometimes painting directly onto dresses worn by female friends. Join us for this introduction to silk painting with artist Robyn Henwood who shares her secrets about this delicate and beautiful process.
Art Gallery Auditorium.
Tickets: $65, Members $50 (includes all materials, exhibition entry and afternoon tea)
Bookings: call Yvonne telephone: 8207 7050

Education

Education Kit
'K' is for Conder Education kit is available upon request. Please telephone (08) 8207 7065
or (08) 8207 7033.

School group booking information
Bookings are required for all school group visits, both to Charles Conder 1868-1909 and to the Gallery. Telephone: 8207 7033 (best contact time 3.30 – 5 pm school days) or fax: 82077070

Admission
School group: $20 per class size group (no charge for teachers and adult helpers)
DECS Classified 1-4 schools and country schools: free

For more information about the Art Gallery Education Section, see click here

Free screenings

CONDER FILM PROGRAM

When Charles Conder left Australia for Europe in 1890, he became a prominent figure in the international art world of Paris and London, forming friendships with Oscar Wilde and Toulouse Lautrec. These films have been selected to set the scene – a glimpse of the era in which Conder lived …

Saturday 22 November 2003 at 2 pm
The Picture of Dorian Gray
A Victorian gentleman keeps a portrait of himself in the attic. While he appears to stay eternally young, the portrait shows his real age and the results of the depraved lifestyle he leads. An adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s compelling tale of the struggle between good and evil. Directed by Albert Lewin 1945 (VHS) 106 mins.

Saturday 24 January 2004 at 2 pm
Moulin Rouge
A fictional adaptation of the life on Henri Toulouse Lautrec. A glorious evocation of 19^th century Paris. Directed by John Huston 1952 (VHS) 119 mins.

Sunday 25 January 2004 at 2 pm
Wilde
A beautifully crafted film tracing the triumphant and tragic life of Oscar Wilde. Directed by Brian Gilbert 1998 (VHS) 116 mins.

DAILY SCREENINGS

Two videos will be shown daily throughout the exhibition.

The Rough and the Smooth 1983 (VHS) 47 mins
Australian Impressionists 2 1984 (VHS) 30 mins

All film enquiries to Cate telephone: 8207 7035

Films courtesy of Roadshow, ACMI and the SA Video and Film Collection.

To see what other events and activities are on at the Gallery
click here to go to the Calendar of Events

At the Bookshop

Catalogue
Charles Conder by Ann Galbally and Barry Pearce is the first major retrospective of the ‘last bohemian’. Fully illustrated, the book and exhibition traces his career from Heidelberg to Paris and enlightens us of Conder’s workings whilst in Europe. Available now for $45.00 nett.

Merchandise
To accompany the exhibition there will also be a range of posters, cards, china and other related gifts in our Conder Shop located at the exhibition exit. Opening on 21st November; there will be plenty of ideas for Christmas shopping.

Members of the Gallery, full-time students and school orders receive a 10% discount on all items not marked nett. The Bookshop is open from 10 am until 4.45 pm every day except Christmas Day.

For more information about the Gallery Bookshop, click here or
telephone: (08) 8207 7029  fax (08) 8207 7069

Sponsors