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Brett Whiteley Studio
Brett Whiteley Studio
5
Temporarily closedClosed until further notice
About
The Brett Whiteley Studio is temporarily closed from 24 June 2024 for essential building works. Reopening in late 2025. Sydney’s best kept secret The Brett Whiteley Studio was the workplace and home of Australian artist, Brett Whiteley (1939–92). The artist bought the former warehouse in 1985 and converted it into a studio and exhibition space. He lived there from 1987 to 1992, the year he died in Thirroul. The visitor is offered the unique opportunity to experience the atmosphere of the space – the studio with his unfinished paintings, art equipment and collections of reference books, and the graffiti wall covered with quotes and images. The living area has memorabilia such as photographs, objects, postcards, furniture, his music collection and sketchbooks. The gallery has changing exhibitions of the artist’s works: paintings, drawings, sculpture and graphics borrowed from the Brett Whiteley Studio Collection, Art Gallery of New South Wales and private collections.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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5.0
63 reviews
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49
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14
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Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,168 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
A fascinating space and a wonderful insight into the creative world of Brett Whiteley.
This former warehouse was both home and working studio for Whiteley from 1987 - 1992. Left untouched after his death, the upstairs level includes unfinished works, paints, brushes and all sorts of painting tools.
Drips and splashes of paint mark the floorboards and one wall is covered in handwritten quotes and images and scribbled musings. He filled his space with assorted and seemingly random odds and ends that caught his eye and inspired him - shells, seed pods, binoculars, books, a cricket ball. If you have any interest in the artistic process, it’s a must.
Downstairs is more like a conventional gallery and is currently displaying an exhibition ‘Chapters 1959–69’, a collection of his works made between the ages of 20 and 30, a period of intense travel and artistic experimentation. It includes his disturbing Christie works, the London Zoo works as well as paintings from his time in New York and Fiji.
It’s not a big gallery so you probably only need to allow an hour. However the exhibitions change from time to time so it’s worth a repeat visit.
Staff were very helpful. They gave us a brief introduction and were on hand to give more information whenever needed.
The studio is a little out of the way, in a small back street in Surry Hills. We walked from Central Station and it took about 15 minutes. Even when we arrived, we didn’t spot the building immediately because it is an unobtrusive, plain brown colour.
NOTE: Entry is free and there’s no need to book ahead. However it is only open Thursday - Sunday.
This former warehouse was both home and working studio for Whiteley from 1987 - 1992. Left untouched after his death, the upstairs level includes unfinished works, paints, brushes and all sorts of painting tools.
Drips and splashes of paint mark the floorboards and one wall is covered in handwritten quotes and images and scribbled musings. He filled his space with assorted and seemingly random odds and ends that caught his eye and inspired him - shells, seed pods, binoculars, books, a cricket ball. If you have any interest in the artistic process, it’s a must.
Downstairs is more like a conventional gallery and is currently displaying an exhibition ‘Chapters 1959–69’, a collection of his works made between the ages of 20 and 30, a period of intense travel and artistic experimentation. It includes his disturbing Christie works, the London Zoo works as well as paintings from his time in New York and Fiji.
It’s not a big gallery so you probably only need to allow an hour. However the exhibitions change from time to time so it’s worth a repeat visit.
Staff were very helpful. They gave us a brief introduction and were on hand to give more information whenever needed.
The studio is a little out of the way, in a small back street in Surry Hills. We walked from Central Station and it took about 15 minutes. Even when we arrived, we didn’t spot the building immediately because it is an unobtrusive, plain brown colour.
NOTE: Entry is free and there’s no need to book ahead. However it is only open Thursday - Sunday.
Written 16 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John Snacks
Sydney, Australia383 contributions
Aug 2019
Tucked away in a quite Surry Hills back street not far from the CBD is this remarkable gallery/studio in a old warehouse. Such a wonderful glimpse at the life of the genius that is Brett W. So good.
Written 16 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacqui B
Sydney, Australia15 contributions
Sept 2017 • Friends
A little tricky to find tucked away in the side streets of Surry Hills but well worth the visit. Once you find the Raper Street you cannot miss this giant match sticks attached to the outside wall of the Studio. This was working studio for Brett Whiteley. The downstairs is a gallery of some of his art works, with the upstairs displays his personal items and the set up where he painted. It is free to the public which is wonderful and there is a small gift shop to purchase books and other items. A really lovely experience.
Written 29 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Looy2u
Brisbane, Australia59 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
The Brett Whiteley Studio is such a lovely intimate space and definitely a must see when visiting Sydney. To see the his artwork up close and personal is truly inspiring and the people running the studio certainly know their stuff.
Written 25 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony B
Sydney, Australia113 contributions
July 2015
I am not a big art fan or even keen on on art galleries etc BUT I went to the Studio Museum with friends who had some interest.
It is small, quirky, and amazing !
Way more than just looking at paintings, sculptures, etc - it gives you an insight into the life someone who I now know was one of our most creative.
You don't need to like his art to appreciate what he created and his amazing (short) life.
A great place to spend an hour or 2 (art tragic's will be there for hours) before chilling out in a local cafe talking like you know everything about art and Brett Whiteley - ps speak quietly because the area is full of people who actually know about this stuff.
A way better to experience art than a traditional art gallery etc !
It is small, quirky, and amazing !
Way more than just looking at paintings, sculptures, etc - it gives you an insight into the life someone who I now know was one of our most creative.
You don't need to like his art to appreciate what he created and his amazing (short) life.
A great place to spend an hour or 2 (art tragic's will be there for hours) before chilling out in a local cafe talking like you know everything about art and Brett Whiteley - ps speak quietly because the area is full of people who actually know about this stuff.
A way better to experience art than a traditional art gallery etc !
Written 26 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
clutcho
Sydney, Australia9 contributions
Dec 2013 • Solo
Brilliant! Whiteleys work speak for themselves but seeing them in his former studio is a real treat. I did a drawing course here over 6 weeks every Saturday and it was inspiring to really get a sense of Whiteley's technique and inspiration. His Japanese/Asian art influences are particularly pleasing. Every Sydneysider should visit at least once!
Written 26 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
luxingren
Bellevue, Washington36 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
My wife and I love art, and attending a special exhibition in a major city frequently determines the travel choices we make. The Brett Whiteley Studio was mentioned in Lonely Planet, so we thought we'd check it out as we'd never heard of this artist. The studio is open 3 days a week currently (Fri-Sun), but it's well worth the effort to visit. We really enjoyed the art, and loved discovering a very talented artist who, unfortunately, died much too young. The staff were very helpful answering our questions about the artist, and there are some videos that you can watch which provide biographical information.
Also, you can see one of Brett Whiteley's large format paintings in the Art Gallery of New South Wales too.
In sum, this is a worthwhile way to spend a couple of hours for travelers who also love art and painting.
Also, you can see one of Brett Whiteley's large format paintings in the Art Gallery of New South Wales too.
In sum, this is a worthwhile way to spend a couple of hours for travelers who also love art and painting.
Written 7 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NSW5
Bathurst, Australia242 contributions
July 2018 • Solo
What an incredible privilege to experience this special space. The main exhibition changes 2-3 times a year but Whiteley’s studio remains as he left it. The main exhibition was his Italian period featuring lovely earthy colours. The volunteer was knowledgeable and friendly.
This is by far the best gallery experience I have had for a long time. Don’t put it off, go.
This is by far the best gallery experience I have had for a long time. Don’t put it off, go.
Written 13 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark S
Greater Sydney, Australia527 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
Whiteley lived between April 1939 and July 1992.
He was a multi award winning artist and travelled to London, the USA, Japan and depicted all manner of subjects. He won awards for his landscapes, portraits, bird paintings and sculpture. The man himself was troubled by his addictions and was fascinated by pushing the boundaries of acceptability with depictions of sexual, violent and sometimes just bizarre exaggeration.
His studio, now owned and administered by the state, it is FREE ENTRY. It features a small shop (with books, gifts and reproduced works), has a lower ground gallery of changing exhibits but the real gem is the upstairs artist's studio and private separate lounge. Here he held many wild parties, collected all manner of objet d'art and spent many hours working.
He befriended many famous musicians and artists of his time and his asthetic appreciation is still palpable.
(Photos are NOT permitted; buy one of the many excellent publications in their shop; or check online images).
He was a multi award winning artist and travelled to London, the USA, Japan and depicted all manner of subjects. He won awards for his landscapes, portraits, bird paintings and sculpture. The man himself was troubled by his addictions and was fascinated by pushing the boundaries of acceptability with depictions of sexual, violent and sometimes just bizarre exaggeration.
His studio, now owned and administered by the state, it is FREE ENTRY. It features a small shop (with books, gifts and reproduced works), has a lower ground gallery of changing exhibits but the real gem is the upstairs artist's studio and private separate lounge. Here he held many wild parties, collected all manner of objet d'art and spent many hours working.
He befriended many famous musicians and artists of his time and his asthetic appreciation is still palpable.
(Photos are NOT permitted; buy one of the many excellent publications in their shop; or check online images).
Written 8 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas M
West Chester, PA320 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
A very memorable and unique art experience. Famous artist's studio gives one a glimpse into the artists process. This was furthered by music playing from the artist's music collection and fascinating to see books owned by the artist, works in progress etc.
A very worthly tribute to this important artist. Free! but only open a few days per week.
A very worthly tribute to this important artist. Free! but only open a few days per week.
Written 2 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How much time do you need to allow for a leisurely look at everything?
Written 21 March 2016
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