Collection

Collection
Photo / Ancher House: Photo - Adam Hollingworth

Originating as a bequest in 1978, the Penrith Regional Gallery Collection consists of over 2500 objects, primarily featuring paintings, sculptures, works on paper and photography.

It was Margo Lewers’ wish that her former home and artwork collection be given to the people of Penrith. This ambition was honoured by her daughters Darani Lewers and Tanya Crothers, and the Penrith Regional Gallery was officially opened in 1981.

Gerald and Margo Lewers were actively involved in the development of visual arts, particularly within the Sydney art scene and were keenly interested in the development of modern art practice. Penrith Regional Gallery continues to acquire artworks exploring Modernism, as well as supporting the development of visual art practice by acquiring Local and International Contemporary Art.


VIEW OUR COLLECTION ON THE GOOGLE ARTS & CULTURE PLATFORM

We are pleased to announce the launch of our online collection in partnership with Google Arts & Culture.

Building on the legacy of the artist and collection donor Margo Lewers, and her desire to encourage and support Greater Western Sydney artists, the Gallery is thrilled to share over 750 artworks from the collection illustrating the site’s social history, key examples of Australian Modernism, and dynamic contemporary works that tell the diverse and varied stories of the region. People around the world can now view these artworks online.

The collection profiles artworks by significant female artists such as Currawongs and Six Day War by Margel Hinder. Hinder was instrumental in the development of Modernism in Australia and is considered one of the most important modernist sculptors of the 20th Century. Alongside her work, you can explore Contemporary artworks by Patricia Piccinini, and Tracey Moffatt.

A new virtual exhibition from the Gallery, Linda Brescia: Skirts, showcasing a series of portraits of women from the Western Sydney suburb of Kingswood is also available to view. The work examines concepts of women’s visibility, safety and identity – issues that will resonate with local, national and international communities. Further specially curated virtual exhibitions have been developed for users to discover the story of the Gallery’s energetic artistic program over the last 20 years, exploring bodies of work developed within the Western Sydney community by local artists.

The Gallery’s online collection also highlights important examples of Australian Modernism like Ralph Balson’s The Construction…Transparent Planes, alongside Contemporary Australian artworks by Blak Douglas, Brook Andrew, and many others.

View Linda Brescia: Skirts virtual exhibition below or visit our Google Arts & Culture Page to explore more!


COLLECTION ACCESS

The Collection is held in trust by Penrith City Council for the public benefit. Should you require further details regarding our Collection or wish to request access, please contact the Registrar:

Phone: (02) 4732 8725

Email: peta.hendriks@penrith.city