Canberra · Australia
Arthur Boyd's Monumental Tapestries Unveiled at National Gallery of Australia
A rare chance to view the complete series of 20 monumental tapestries by the celebrated Australian artist, on display in Canberra until October 2026.
A Monumental Collaboration in Thread and Vision
The National Gallery of Australia will host a landmark exhibition showcasing the full suite of 20 monumental tapestries by Arthur Boyd, one of Australia's most significant 20th-century artists. Running from June 20 to October 18, 2026, the display brings together Boyd's Life of St Francis series—a cycle of large-scale textiles produced in partnership with Portugal's Manufactura de Tapeçarias de Portalegre between 1970 and 1974. Acquired by the national collection in 1975, these works represent a lesser-known but extraordinary facet of Boyd's practice.
Each tapestry, measuring 2.5 by 3.4 metres, translates Boyd's original paintings into woven form at a scale more than 20 times larger. The intricate process required between 4 and 8.5 million stitches per piece, underscoring the technical mastery of both artist and artisans. The series reflects Boyd's lifelong fascination with Saint Francis of Assisi, a figure he first encountered in childhood, reimagining the saint's life through vivid, narrative-driven compositions.
Elspeth Pitt, Senior Curator of Australian Art, notes that while Boyd's paintings are staples in major public collections, his tapestries have remained underappreciated.
"These works reveal the breadth of his creativity and the unique synergy between his vision and the Manufactura's unparalleled expertise," she says.
Vera Fino, Director of the Manufactura, adds that the series pushed the workshop's capabilities to their limits, calling them "the most complex works we had ever undertaken—even by today's standards."
Dr. Nick Mitzevich, Director of the National Gallery, emphasizes the exhibition's significance as the first public unveiling of the complete series in over five decades.
"This is a chance to rediscover a hidden gem in our collection," he remarks. "Visitors will encounter a different side of Boyd—one defined by texture, scale, and the quiet power of collaborative artistry."
The exhibition invites audiences to contemplate Boyd's enduring legacy through a medium that bridges painting and craft, offering a fresh perspective on his contributions to Australian art.
Museums mentioned
Related reading
Martin Parr's Candid Gaze: A Comprehensive Retrospective Opens in Seoul
We Are Martin Parr surveys four decades of the late photographer's unflinching documentation of contemporary life
Following the photographer's death in 2025, Seoul Museum of Art presents a major retrospective examining Parr's distinctive approach to photographing everyday consumption and leisure across four decades.
Gwangju Biennale Opens Artistic Director Search to Global Candidates
For the first time, the 17th edition will be selected through an open international call rather than closed recommendations.
The Gwangju Biennale Foundation is inviting curators worldwide to apply for the artistic directorship of its 2028 edition, replacing its long-standing recommendation-based appointment system with a fully open process.
Kwon Byungjun: I Embrace You at Buk-Seoul Museum of Art
A sprawling exhibition of wobbling robots, sound installations and participatory workshops explores what it means to welcome the stranger
Running from June 2026 to May 2027, SeMA Buk-Seoul presents Kwon Byungjun's ambitious project using robots and sound to question how we encounter difference and build a shared sense of 'we'.