A local church hall in Paddington will highlight a story about how Australia had the chance to buy artwork by famous artists like Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh at low prices during wartime. Unfortunately, much of that artwork was lost. This story will be shared with today’s community.
A look back at a turning point in art
The talk centres on the Herald Exhibition of French and British Contemporary Art, a major exhibition that toured Australia in 1939. At the time, it introduced many Australians to modern European art for the first time. Paintings that are now considered priceless were available to local buyers during the early years of the Second World War, when prices were lower and artworks remained in the country longer than expected.
Despite the opportunity, few pieces were purchased for public collections. Historians now often point to this moment as a missed chance for Australia to build a world-class art collection early on. The exhibition also sparked strong public debate, with some critics rejecting modern styles and labelling them offensive or difficult to understand.
Expert brings history to Paddington
Art historian Steven Miller will lead the discussion, drawing from his award-winning book Degenerates and Perverts, co-written with Eileen Chanin. Miller has spent years researching Australian art history and has worked closely with archives at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, focusing on how exhibitions and public opinion have shaped the nation’s cultural identity.
His talk is part of a broader lecture series hosted by ArtsNational Sydney, which brings together speakers to explore art, history and culture from different periods and regions.
Bringing art history into the community
The event highlights how decisions made decades ago still influence what Australians see in galleries today. By revisiting the 1939 exhibition, the talk aims to give local audiences in Paddington a clearer understanding of how public taste, timing and circumstance can shape a country’s cultural legacy.
The session will take place at Paddington Uniting Church on Oxford Street on April 23, with talks scheduled for 12:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Bookings are required through ArtsNational Sydney.
Published 13-April-2026
