An Australian exclusive exhibition here in Shepparton, Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso brings together 37 exceptional paintings and sculptures from the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki never before shown in Australia.
Spanning nearly a century of artistic innovation, Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso brings together 37 exceptional paintings and sculptures from the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki never before shown in Australia that capture the radical shifts in art from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century.
Audiences will embark on a journey tracing the major art movements of the modern era, from Impressionism and Post-Impressionism to Fauvism, Cubism, Surrealism and post-war abstraction, through works from icons of the age, including Pierre Bonnard, Georges Braque, Paul Cezanne, Salvador Dalí, Paul Gauguin, Barbara Hepworth, Fernand Léger, Henri Matisse, and Pablo Picasso.
This significant collection includes a major philanthropic gift from New York-based collectors Julian Robertson (1932-2022) and Josie Robertson (1943-2010) to Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki in 2023. Their generous bequest offers a rare glimpse into the vision of two passionate art patrons and their lifelong commitment to sharing and celebrating modern art.
From the sensual nudes and atmospheric brushwork of late 19th century Impressionism to the geometric intensity of Cubism and the dreamlike worlds of Surrealism, Facing Modernity traces how artists shattered conventions and reimagined the world anew.
Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso is a ticketed exhibition.
| Single ticket price | Double-pass ticket price (entry to Facing Modernity & Archibald Prize) | Multi-pass price (five entries) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | $24.00 | $48.00 | N/A |
| Greater Shepparton residentsConcession card holders | $19.00 | $38.00 | $80.00**Available to Greater Shepparton residents only |
| Friend of SAM member | $17.00 | $34.00 | $70.00 |
| Teens aged 13-18 | $12.00 | $24.00 | N/A |
| Children aged 12 and under | Free | Free | N/A |
Please note: A surcharge will apply to all payments made via credit/debit card.
Concession tickets are valid for:
During Facing Modernity, SAM will be open 7 days a week - meaning whatever your schedule, SAM will be here to welcome you to world-class arts experiences.
SAM will be open from 10am to 4pm daily, with extended hours to 7pm every Friday evening from until the exhibition closes on 20 September 2026.
Please visit the SAM website for details about Group bookings and School bookings, Frequently Asked Questions and to purchase tickets.
Make the most of your time visiting Shepparton & Goulburn Valley during Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso. Eat, Play, Stay & Shop with special experiences, offers and events.
