Taking Flight

Birds from the Riddoch Collection

11 March - 11 June 2023
King's Floor

Feathered and flighty, birds have a way of captivating our eyes with their bold plumage, while arresting our ears with warbled tunes. From migratory birds that travel across oceans and continents to those shy little creatures who choose to stay closer to home, the diversity of birds in this country is astonishing.  

This exhibition is drawn exclusively from the Riddoch’s collection and celebrates all things avian. Taking Flight showcases how Australian artists have long been inspired to paint, sculpt, and draw birds, offering fresh narratives and new perspectives on the life of birds, how humans engage with birds, and especially the multifaceted symbolism of birds.  

Image: Noel McKenna, Good Morning, 2007, etching and drypoint, printed in black ink, from one plate on off-white wove Velin Arches 300gsm paper. Image courtesy National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.