Brett Whiteley’s former home and studio has now reopened with Coming Home, a new exhibition that explores the artist’s return to Australia after a decade overseas.
Great artists invite a curiosity not just about their work, but about the person behind it. Brett Whiteley was one of those artists. His studio, a former T-shirt warehouse that he renovated with his then-wife, Wendy, offers a glimpse into the man behind the canvas.
After two years of closure, the Sydney studio where Whiteley lived and worked during the final four years of his life has reopened to the public, managed by the Art Gallery of NSW. To mark the reopening, the Brett Whiteley Studio presents Coming Home, a new exhibition that explores the period when Whiteley returned to Australia after a decade spent in New York, London and Fiji.
Coming Home brings together more than 80 paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, prints, photographs and sketchbooks from the collections of the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Brett Whiteley Studio.
“There’s nothing else like [the studio] in Australia," says Beatrice Gralton, the studio’s senior curator. “People get a real surprise when they go [in] and see the archive of possessions, books, records and newspaper clippings. The studio can explain something about the artist that helps people feel closer to the work."
The studio is less a traditional museum than a living artefact: the space has remained largely unchanged in the three decades since Whiteley’s death, from paintbrushes left in situ to handwritten graffiti on the walls and paint splattered across the floor. Browsing the artist’s unfinished works and personal items while listening to a soundtrack drawn from his 600-strong vinyl collection offers visitors a glimpse into the mind behind some of Australia’s most celebrated works of modern art.
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Restoring a Sydney landmark
Preserving this inner-city landmark required a painstaking restoration. The upgrades included installing climate-controlled air conditioning, a new staircase and replacing the roof – all while protecting the studio’s original features. “The building was without a roof for around six months," says Gralton, “so to preserve the upstairs painting studio we had to construct a weatherproof micro-chamber. When [the chamber] was removed, it was a wonderful feeling to see Whiteley’s handwritten graffiti completely unchanged."
Improving accessibility was a key priority for the upgrades – the renovations introduced a new lift and ambulant bathrooms, ensuring more visitors can experience the studio for themselves. “The most important aspect of the restoration was to preserve what is essential to the Brett Whiteley Studio," says Gralton, “the unique energy and character the building offers, while ensuring access for future generations".
Coming Home brings together works Whiteley created after he and his young family returned to Sydney in 1969. The city wasn’t just a backdrop for Whiteley’s work; it was one of his defining subjects. He returned to paint Sydney Harbour again and again, depicting it in the rain, beneath overcast skies and in spring with the jacarandas in full bloom.
“Coming Home [reflects] Whiteley’s connection to the landscape and birdlife that would become so important in his Australian works," says Gralton. “Initially, the Whiteleys thought they would move back to London, but they fell in love with Lavender Bay – the harbour, the light, the birds, boats and natural beauty."
Lavender Bay is where Whiteley’s former wife and muse, Wendy Whiteley, created her much-loved ‘secret garden’ on a stretch of abandoned railway land. It was also where they lived, and the vantage point from which Whiteley painted Balcony 2 (1975), a sweeping view across Sydney Harbour rendered with his signature gestural lines. Balcony 2 is one of the key works on display in Coming Home, as is his Archibald-winning Self-portrait in the studio (1976) and Alchemy (1972–73), Whiteley’s monumental 17-metre abstract masterpiece, which stretches throughout the downstairs studio.
“Alchemy is a metaphysical self-portrait," says Gralton. “A deep dive into life, death and the journey between." It’s a work that, like the studio itself, offers a glimpse into the mind of the artist whose vision helped reshape the face of modern Australian art.
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Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.
Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.
Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.
Where to stay
The Fullerton Hotel Sydney
Sleep inside a 151-year-old icon.
Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney. The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.
Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.
Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.
Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.
The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.
Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.
Where to drink & dine
1. The Bar
Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.
Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.
Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.
The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.
On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.
Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce.
2. The Place
Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.
On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.
3. Local gelato
Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)
What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.
What to do/see
1. GPO Heritage Tour
Be awed by the building’s history.
Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.
From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.
2. Circular Quay
Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)
An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.
3. Royal Botanic Gardens
Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)
Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.
It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.
4. Theatre Royal
Take in a show at Theatre Royal. (Image: Daniel Boud)
Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).
