Brett Whiteley Studio Reopens with 'Coming Home' Exhibition in Sydney

After a two-year closure for structural repairs, the Brett Whiteley Studio in Surry Hills, Sydney, has reopened with the exhibition 'Coming Home,' curated by Beatrice Gralton. The studio, originally a warehouse bought by Brett and Wendy Whiteley in 1985, was on the brink of collapse when builders removed the roof for an accessibility upgrade. The renovation, led by architects Tonkin Zulaikha Greer, preserved the studio's character—including Whiteley's graffiti, paint splatters, and personal belongings—while adding air conditioning, a new roof, and accessibility features. Wendy Whiteley, the artist's former wife and advocate, oversaw the project to maintain the studio's soul. The exhibition highlights Whiteley's Fiji paintings, created during a restorative period after leaving New York in 1969, when he was forced to leave Fiji due to political tensions and a drug incident. The show also includes his epic work 'Alchemy' (1972-73), which was removed in 2023 and now returns. AGNSW Director Maud Page noted the exhibition reflects Whiteley's reconnection with Australia and his impact on Sydney's artistic identity. The studio, managed by the Art Gallery of New South Wales since 1995, is open Thursday to Sunday. Wendy Whiteley hopes visitors focus on the art rather than the artist's mythology.