A new exhibition now on display at the Orange Regional Gallery is a celebration of iconic and well-loved works from the gallery’s permanent collection.

The ‘Collection Highlights’ exhibition includes works from modern artists such as Ian Fairweather, Hans Heysen, Grace Cossington Smith and Brett Whiteley shown alongside contemporary artists including Kevin Connor, Harrie Fasher, Emily Kngwarreye, Margaret Loy Pula, and David Serisier. Recent photographic acquisitions are also presented in the foyer.

“It is really a very strong collection for any regional gallery in Australia,” said Gallery Director Bradley Hammond.

“I think many people would be surprised by just how many fantastic pieces we have. Many of them are often stored so we really like the opportunity to show the community what a strong collection we have.

“With this exhibition we are bringing out some of the highlights and placing them alongside one another in fresh and different ways to how people may have seen them before.”

The Orange Regional Gallery’s ever-growing collection includes over 1500 works of Australian art from the 1920s to today. The collection was founded on the Mary Turner Collection, which she presented to the city of Orange in 1982. A significant donation of 35 paintings followed in 2013 from the personal collection of Jim Cobb, and numerous other generous donations have allowed the collection to grow.

“This collection belongs to the people of Orange and it is really a great expression of community generosity,” said Bradley.

“Many works have come to us from the generosity of artists, collectors, and we have great community groups such as the friends of Orange Regional Gallery and the Orange Regional Arts Foundation who help raise money for the purchase of works to come into the collection.

“Many great pieces have been purchased for the collection over the years and so you will see many of those on display in this exhibition.”