In a city packed with some of Australia’s (and the world’s) best cultural exhibitions, Canberra is often regarded as the nation’s creative hub. Boasting a diverse arts scene, highly regarded national attractions and a thriving community of creatives, the never-ending choices of exhibitions make the city a must-visit for art and history enthusiasts alike.
Never short on cultural offerings, this April brings four highly anticipated exhibitions to Canberra: the first solo exhibition for multidisciplinary contemporary Australian artist Thom Roberts at the National Portrait Gallery, a celebration of female artists will be happening at the National Gallery of Australia and a showcase of the works of glass maker Katie-Ann Houghton and industrial designer Tom Fereday at the Canberra Glassworks.
The Immersive World of Thom Roberts – National Portrait Gallery
https://www.portrait.gov.au/exhibitions/thom-roberts-2025
From 12th April 2025 – 20th July 2025, FREE ENTRY
Australian artist Thom Roberts, known for his bold portraits that morph people with trains and buildings, is bringing his first solo exhibition to the National Portrait Gallery. Inviting audiences to see the world through his eyes, the exhibition showcases his distinctive style and idiosyncratic motifs with more than 100 works including vibrant paintings, installations, animations and some of his newest works.
Know My Name: Global – National Gallery of Australia
https://nga.gov.au/exhibitions/know-my-name-global/
From April 2025, FREE ENTRY
Following the success of the previous Know My Name exhibition, visitors can explore this collection of inspiring female artists from around the world who have pushed the limits of artistic practice. Combining recent acquisitions with key works from the International and Australian collections, Know My Name: Global showcases influential artworks from the 1960s to the present day, and helps to establish the importance of Australian female artists within the global context. Expect to see the works from creative trailblazers such as American feminist artist Judy Chicago, Order of Australia artist Vivienne Binns and American neo-conceptual artist Jenny Holzer.
Arum + Meander – Canberra Glassworks
https://canberraglassworks.com/2025-exhibition-2/
From 3rd April until 8th June 2025, FREE ENTRY
Arum
Sydney-based designer Tom Fereday’s solo show ‘Arum’ celebrates the transformation of raw material into glass and showcases his interest in the tension that lies between natural materials and contemporary design. Expect to see some of his award-winning pieces from the Mano and Mazer ranges.
Meander
https://canberraglassworks.com/2025-exhibition-2-kah/
Glassmaker Katie-Ann Houghton explores her fascination with urban landscapes in her newest exhibition ‘Meander’, showcasing her work taking inspiration from architectural details. This range of work has been influenced by her time spent wandering through cities, observing textures and shifting shadows to present a fresh and unique interpretation of traditional and contemporary glass design.
For more information on what’s happening in Canberra this April, visit https://visitcanberra.com.au/|
