Comprising exuberant recent Australian paintings, many on a large scale, it will include portraits of famous and obscure Australians and their pets by contemporary artists Nicholas Harding, Lucy Culliton, Darren McDonald, Anna Culliton, Fiona McMonagle, Ken Done, Noel McKenna, Graeme Drendel, Robyn Sweaney, Kristin Headlam, Shen Jiawei, Jude Rae, William Robinson, Janet Dawson and Davida Allen. Many works have been created especially for the exhibition.

The Pet Show curator is Sarah Engledow, whose recent popular National Portrait Gallery exhibitions include Arcadia: Sound of the sea; Paris to Monaro: Pleasures from the studio of Hilda Rix Nicholas; and Idle Hours. A fully-illustrated catalogue, written by Dr. Engledow, will accompany the high-spirited exhibition – pre-order your copy