S.H. Ervin Gallery

02/09/2026

Congratulations to the 55 finalists in the 2026 Portia Geach Memorial Award.
Full list of artists at https://www.shervingallery.com.au/event/portia-geach-memorial-award-2026/

Exhibition on view Friday 18 September - 1 November.

26/08/2026

Wonderful to welcome Sally McInerney, daughter of Olive Cotton, and Rex Dupain, son of Max Dupain, to the gallery today to visit Olive Cotton and her contemporaries.

The Definitive Dupain exhibition has now opened at The State Library of New South Wales so you have just over two weeks to see both exhibitions before Olive Cotton heads home to the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.

25/08/2026

24/08/2026

‘Light brings a subject to life … That’s the main thing about all my photographs, the light no matter what it’s of. That’s what draws me to take a photograph.’
Olive Cotton

Now on view - Olive Cotton and her contemporaries - a National Gallery Touring Exhibition presented as part of the Bowness Family Foundation Photography Touring Program - until 13 September.

image: Olive Cotton, Glasses, 1937 prtd 1997, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2016

13/08/2026

The clock is ticking for the $30,000 Portia Geach Memorial Award. Entries close midnight Friday 14 August.
Need help? Call us on 02 9258 0140 during office hours.

Enter now - https://www.shervingallery.com.au/portia-geach-memorial-award-2026/

12/08/2026

Last days to enter the Portia Geach Memorial Award for portraits by women painters. It’s easy to enter and we’re here to help if you get stuck uploading your entry - call 02 9258 0140.

https://www.shervingallery.com.au/portia-geach-memorial-award-2026/

10/08/2026

🎨 There’s just 5 days remaining to enter the $30,000 Portia Geach Memorial Award so hurry.

The non-acquisitive award is given by the Trustee for the entry which is of the highest artistic merit, ‘…for the best portrait painted from life of some man or woman distinguished in Art, Letters, or the Sciences by any female artist resident in Australia during the twelve months preceding the close date for entries’.

Enter today - https://www.shervingallery.com.au/portia-geach-memorial-award-2026/

01/08/2026

31/07/2026

Olive Cotton and Her Contemporaries is now open!

Olive Cotton (1911‒2003) is recognised as one of Australia’s most significant photographers. Cotton is especially notable for images that highlight the immersive qualities of photography. Cotton was also a leading figure in the development of modern art in Australia, a contribution that we are only beginning to fully appreciate. The National Gallery’s collection of Olive Cotton’s work is unparalleled. This exhibition will explore the exceptional innovations of one of Australia’s greatest photographers.

Olive Cotton and her contemporaries is a National Gallery Touring Exhibition presented as part of the Bowness Family Foundation Photography Touring Program.

📆 Curator Talk | Sunday 2 August at 3pm
Shaune Lakin, Senior Curator, Photography

On until 13 Sep 2026

30/07/2026

On Sunday 2 August at 3pm, join exhibition curator Shaune Lakin, Senior Curator of Photography, National Gallery of Australia for a talk on the work of Olive Cotton.

Olive Cotton (1911‒2003) is recognised as one of Australia’s most significant photographers. Cotton is especially notable for images that highlight the immersive qualities of photography. Cotton was also a leading figure in the development of modern art in Australia, a contribution that we are only beginning to fully appreciate. The National Gallery’s collection of Olive Cotton’s work is unparalleled. This exhibition will explore the exceptional innovations of one of Australia’s greatest photographers.

Olive Cotton and her contemporaries is a National Gallery Touring Exhibition presented as part of the Bowness Family Foundation Photography Touring Program.