The former home and studio of Australian artist Brett Whiteley (1939–1992) in Sydney’s Surry Hills has reopened to the public following two years’ closure to complete extensive upgrades. Led by local architecture practice Tonkin Zulaikha Greer (TZG), the renovations – which include a distinctive new roof extension – have been aimed at preserving the building and its artworks, meanwhile improving its accessibility and visitors’ experience.
Formerly the artist’s final home and studio, The Brett Whiteley Studio spans a three-storey former warehouse that has been managed as a museum by the Art Gallery of New South Wales since 1995. According to a media communique from the institution, the building “unlike any traditional gallery setting,” encouraging visitors to experience Whiteley’s artworks, objects and ephemera as he left them.
The gallery’s media communique notes that TZG “has meticulously revitalised the building to meet contemporary museum standards while maintaining the unique character of Whiteley’s environment.”
TZG’s design comprises a new wave-shaped roof and facade extension constructed from hand-crimped sheets of coated aluminium and stainless steel mesh. The extension encases acoustically treated plant and mechanical equipment, installed to enable greater control of the studio’s interior environment for the long-term care and management of the collection, the Art Gallery of NSW has said.
The firm’s project director Peter Tonkin commented of the extension, “We wanted it to look weightless as much as possible: floating, dematerialised, ethereal … so that it’s not squashing this poor little 1905 factory … the fact that it looks like Brett’s waves [in his drawing The divided unity (1973)]; it felt like the right solution.”
Further upgrades include a new library and archive, an elevator, a new staircase and new accessible amenities, which the Art Gallery of NSW has said will enable the studio to “welcome broader and more diverse audiences, while maintaining the intimacy that defines the site.”
Whiteley’s former wife and muse Wendy Whiteley said the renovation honours the late artist’s legacy while keeping the spirit of the space.
‘The studio carries Brett’s presence in every room. I’m grateful that it has been cared for so thoughtfully and not preserved as a museum relic, but as a living place of creativity that continues to inspire artists and visitors,’ she said.
Reflecting on TZG’s intent, Tonkin commented “When you walk in, we’re really hoping that you won’t be able to tell that it’s changed … it just looks like Brett’s studio.”
The works, which commenced in June 2024, were funded by the NSW government in association with the Art Gallery NSW, the Brett Whiteley Foundation and Tim Fairfax AC and Gina Fairfax AC.
The Brett Whiteley Studio is open from 25 July, featuring the exhibition Brett Whiteley: Coming Home alongside various opening weekend activities. Details can be found on the Art Gallery of NSW’s website.