Your Long Weekend of Art: Art Gallery of NSW Celebrates 'Avatar' Finale and Opens Landmark 'Nolan: Origins' Exhibition
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Art Gallery of New South Wales Press Archives / September 2026
Setting the stage for an extraordinary long weekend of Australian and international culture, the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) has announced a blockbuster program featuring two major exhibitions: the closing days of “Avatar: Forms of Vishnu” and the grand opening of “Nolan: Origins.”
Running over the October long weekend, the gallery offers extended hours, 2-for-1 ticketing, classical dance, electronic music performances, and panel discussions. The dual-exhibition moment marks both a celebration of 15 centuries of South and Southeast Asian art and a deep dive into the formative years of one of Australia’s most celebrated modernists, Sidney Nolan.
Exhibition Highlights & Performance Program
The holiday lineup balances rich ancient traditions with groundbreaking Australian modernism:
Final Days of "Avatar: Forms of Vishnu" (Closing Oct 5): Spanning 15 centuries of South and Southeast Asian storytelling, the exhibition closes with a 2-for-1 ticket offer (Oct 2–5) and extended hours until 10:00 PM (Oct 2–4).
Live Dance & Music Activations: Highlights include Indian classical dance by choreographer Anandavalli with the Lingalayam Dance Company (Sept 30, Oct 2–4) and an immersive audiovisual live set by electronic music pioneers Elsewhere in India (Oct 4).
"Nolan: Origins" Landmark Opening (Opens Oct 3): Showcasing over 150 works from Sidney Nolan’s formative period—including his world-famous Ned Kelly series and Central Australian landscapes—described by art critic Jerry Saltz as a "breakthrough of modernism, akin to Picasso."
Film & Curator Dialogues: Opening day programming on Saturday, October 3, features a panel discussion with curator Denise Mimmocchi alongside Heide Museum of Modern Art experts, followed by a film screening of True History of the Kelly Gang (2019) with a live Q&A by director Justin Kurzel.
Long Weekend Schedule & Event Architecture
To help gallery visitors and arts journalists navigate the October long weekend, AGNSW detailed the full timeline of events:
Event Milestone Date & Time Program & Access Avatar Indian Dance Sept 30, Oct 2–3 (7 PM) / Oct 4 (6 PM)Classical performances by Anandavalli & Lingalayam Dance Company. Avatar Late-Night Hours Oct 2–4 (Extended until 10 PM). 2-for-1 tickets, 'Dine for $49' at MOD Dining & Gallery Shop offers. Nolan: Origins Launch Opens Saturday, October 3, 2026. Over 150 works from Nolan’s early career & Ned Kelly series. Nolan Curator Panel Saturday, October 3 (11:00–11:45 AM)Denise Mimmocchi in conversation with Heide Museum curators (Free).Film Screening & Q&A Saturday, October 3 (1:00–3:30 PM)True History of the Kelly Gang screening + Justin Kurzel Q&A. Elsewhere in India Set Sunday, October 4 (8:00–9:00 PM)Audiovisual performance closing out the Avatar exhibition.