Wagner Art Gallery is recognised for exhibiting the work of modern masters, such as Arthur Boyd, John Perceval, Charles Blackman, Sir Sidney Nolan, Robert Dickerson, John Olsen, Ray Crooke, David Boyd, Tim Storrier and James Gleeson. These elite Australian artists need no introduction and collectors will find their names well represented in the gallery’s stockroom, which holds rare and highly coveted pieces by each.

Wagner Art Gallery is also committed to showing contemporary art of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Established artists, well known to collectors, such as Margaret Woodward, Robert Juniper, Celia Perceval, Frank Hodgkinson, Gloria Petyarre and the late Minnie Pwerle are regularly exhibited in solo and gallery group exhibitions.

Wagner Art Gallery is equally focused on supporting a talented group of emerging artists and promoting their work to national and international markets. Charlotte Boyd and Wynne Prize finalists, Eleanor Millard and Min Woo Bang, are among the gallery’s stable of emerging artists who will be spotted by collectors and who, like Shirley and Nadine Wagner, will admire and appreciate their extraordinary talent.

The founder and creative director, Shirley Wagner, has been the driving force of Wagner Art Gallery since its inception in 1978. Regarded as one of the true matriarchs of the Australian art scene, she has fostered and managed the careers of many great artists and continues to bring the talents of the next generation to a market that relies on Shirley's keen eye.

In addition to promoting Australian artists locally, she has taken many exhibitions overseas, touring in major markets such as Tokyo and New York. Over a decade ago, she opened her gallery doors in Hong Kong. Wagner Art Gallery HK was the first gallery of its kind to showcase Australia’s artistic talent to an eager audience in South East Asia. Over the years she has also brought many great international artists to Sydney, including Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

Although Shirley has now retired from daily work at the gallery, her daughter Nadine continues to uphold her mother’s legacy. Nadine brings to her role a wealth of knowledge of Australian art and strong expertise in collection development and management. Nadine is also a qualified valuer and is always on hand to assist with any enquiries relating to art collecting and investment, appraisals and valuations.

Director - Shirley J. Wagner
Managing Director - Nadine Wagner.