Garangula Gallery, designed by our sister studios, Fender Katsalidis, houses an extensive private collection of Aboriginal art, and has been designed to contrast the quiet introspective experience of art appreciation, with the dramatic natural energy of the landscape beyond.
Working with the landscape
Sited within the New South Wales outback, the angular gallery features a distinctive wing-shaped form which follows the natural topographical lines, and shifting character of the landscape. It has been carefully orientated so that it is shielded from the extremely hot northern sun, but exposed to the softer southern sunlight.
Building a narrative
The gallery's collection of Aboriginal art tells a story about the people, their culture, beliefs and how they worked with the landscape. Taking this as an inspiration, the building has its own narrative, which is derived from the use of crafted, recycled and locally sourced materials, which have a relationship and connection to the outback. Artwork is also embedded both in the architecture of the gallery, in the surrounding courtyards and outdoor spaces, as well as within its interiors to continue the building's narrative..
Choregraphed interior spaces
The gallery houses five naturally lit gallery spaces, each representing time, place, artist, material and meaning. The spaces were conceived as contemporary metaphors to represent the sheltered caves in which Aboriginal art was first created. By opening the large interconnecting pivot doors, the separate gallery spaces can become a single, unified space in which dinners, events and other functions can be held.
Weathered materials
A specially designed artefact gallery extends along the south façade. Due to its more exposed location, the gallery is protected from the sun when it is at its lowest point by a weathered steel screen. The screen is in alignment with spaces between the five galleries, and can pivot horizontally to provide views of the landscape beyond.
This project was designed by our sister studios, Fender Katsalidis
