ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

The National 2021 Australian Art Survey Critiqued for Lacking Contemporary Urgency

opinion-review · 2026-04-20

The National 2021: New Australian Art is a biennial showcase featuring 39 artists displayed across three locations in Sydney: the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW), Carriageworks, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA). This event runs from 26 March to August 2021. Curatorial duties are handled by Matt Cox and Erin Vink at AGNSW, Abigail Moncrieff at Carriageworks, and Rachel Kent at MCA. The exhibition's decentralized format results in uneven support and a disjointed visitor experience. Although it aims to highlight 'provocative, political and poetic' themes, many artworks appear disconnected from current issues. Standout pieces include Cameron Robbins's OENOGRAF and Gudirr Gudirr by Vernon Ah Kee and Dalisa Pigram, which confront colonial narratives. Critics suggest the format diminishes the exhibition's sense of urgency.

Key facts

  • The National 2021: New Australian Art is a biennial survey exhibition featuring 39 artists.
  • It is presented across three Sydney institutions: AGNSW, Carriageworks, and MCA.
  • The exhibition runs from 26 March to 5 September 2021 at AGNSW, 26 March to 20 June at Carriageworks, and 26 March to 22 August at MCA.
  • Curatorial teams are Matt Cox and Erin Vink (AGNSW), Abigail Moncrieff (Carriageworks), and Rachel Kent (MCA).
  • A key critique is that the works lack engagement with contemporary crises like ecological distress and Indigenous issues.
  • Environmental themes are prominent, with works by Cameron Robbins, Wona Bae and Charlie Lawler, and Sancintya Mohini Simpson.
  • Vernon Ah Kee and Dalisa Pigram's Gudirr Gudirr (2021) is highlighted as a powerful exception addressing colonial history.
  • The decentralized curatorial structure leads to fragmented artist support and a disjointed viewer experience.

Entities

Artists

  • Cameron Robbins
  • Wona Bae
  • Charlie Lawler
  • Sancintya Mohini Simpson
  • Vernon Ah Kee
  • Dalisa Pigram

Institutions

  • Art Gallery of New South Wales
  • Carriageworks
  • Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
  • Marrugeku

Locations

  • Sydney
  • Australia
  • Broome
  • Western Australia

Sources