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My Australia: National Portrait Gallery director Karen Quinlan on the beauty of Sydney

“Travelling to Sydney for work or pleasure has always been a joyful experience,” she said. “The view of the harbour, the enormity of the bri...

My Australia: National Portrait Gallery director Karen Quinlan on the beauty of Sydney
My Australia: National Portrait Gallery director Karen Quinlan on the beauty of Sydney
By Explore
Updated September 20, 2022, first published July 1, 2021

“Travelling to Sydney for work or pleasure has always been a joyful experience,” she said. “The view of the harbour, the enormity of the bridge and the unique architecture of the Opera House remind me that I have arrived in a place that is visually stunning with its own unique vibe. It is the idiosyncratic neighbourhoods, the historic sandstone architecture, the familiar ficus macrophylla (Moreton Bay figs) which make Sydney special.”

Ms Quinlan recently visited the city to view the latest Archibald Prize and celebratory Archie 100 exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

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“I also had time to squeeze in the White Rabbit Gallery and the Museum of Contemporary Art,” she said.

“The gorgeous vistas coupled with fantastic weather meant that I quickly defrosted from the cold snap in Canberra and acclimatised to the gorgeous weather of Sydney – coat off and all,” she added.