Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery is a public art gallery at The University of Western Australia’s Crawley campus. Its changing exhibitions bring together contemporary and historical art, with work drawn from UWA’s collections and visiting artists. You do not need to be a university student to visit.
Visitor information checked on 25 September 2026.
Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Location | UWA Crawley campus, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009 |
| Admission | Gallery entry, exhibitions and events are free unless otherwise indicated |
| Usual hours | Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 4pm during exhibition seasons |
| Closed | Mondays, Sundays, public holidays, exhibition installation periods and UWA shutdown |
| Parking | Visitor parking off Fairway and in Car Park 52 below the gallery; check bay signs and payment requirements |
| Access | Wheelchair access, accessible toilets and a manual wheelchair available from reception |
| Phone | 08 6488 3707 |
| lwag@uwa.edu.au | |
| Official information | Plan your visit and exhibitions |
What makes the gallery worth visiting?
The programme draws on three collections with different strengths. The UWA Art Collection includes Australian modernist painting, contemporary work and a strong representation of artists connected with Western Australia. The Cruthers Collection of Women’s Art brings together work by women from the 1890s to the present, while the Berndt Museum holds Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and cultural material alongside collections from the Asia-Pacific region.
These collections contribute to changing exhibitions. They are not all on permanent display, so check the programme if you are hoping to see a particular artist or artwork.
The gallery opened in July 1990 in a building designed by Western Australian architect Gus Ferguson. Its campus setting makes it easy to combine an exhibition with a look around UWA’s grounds.
Exhibitions listed for late 2026
The next season is advertised for 17 October to 5 December 2026, following the installation closure. Check the individual exhibition pages before making a special trip.
Sarah Contos: Eye Lash Horizon
UWA lists Eye Lash Horizon for 17 October to 5 December 2026. The exhibition brings together video, sound and sculptural work, with references to cinema, fashion, popular culture and personal memory. It includes MoTH-eRR, a video and sound installation, and large textile-based forms.
This is a touring exhibition from UNSW Galleries. Check the gallery’s visitor information for any exhibition-specific access or content advice.
Mother Island
Mother Island is listed for 17 October to 5 December 2026. Curated by Paola Anselmi, it brings together work by Olga Cironis, Susan Flavell and Louise Monte. Through sculpture, installation and textiles, the artists explore memory, identity, migration and what is passed between generations.
Pearly Whites: Fighting tooth and nail
Pearly Whites: Fighting tooth and nail is also listed for 17 October to 5 December 2026. Developed by student curators from UWA’s School of Design, it draws on the Cruthers Collection of Women’s Art and features Tania Ferrier, Maria Kozic and Ann Newmarch. The exhibition examines how feminist artists challenge expectations about women and representations of their bodies.
Strike Camps: The Photographs of John Wilson
Strike Camps is advertised for 3 September to 5 December 2026, with the 20 September to 16 October installation closure interrupting that run.
The exhibition presents John Wilson’s photographs of Aboriginal people working and living in mining camps in 1959, following the 1946 pastoral workers’ strike in north-western Australia. UWA advises that it includes pictures and names of people who have died.
Choosing a day and allowing enough time
Saturday is the gallery’s usual weekend opening day. Sunday and Monday are regular closure days, and public holidays and installation periods can interrupt the Tuesday-to-Saturday schedule.
Allow roughly an hour as a starting point, with extra time for video works, reading labels or attending a talk. If you are combining the gallery with other plans, check the exhibition dates before arranging transport.
The What’s On page lists the gallery’s public programme, which can include talks, tours, workshops and activities for families or schools. Check the individual event for bookings, suitability and any charge. These activities are scheduled, so do not assume a tour or children’s workshop will be available whenever you arrive.
Getting to the gallery
Location and campus map
Use Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, UWA Crawley campus as your destination, rather than UWA alone. The university has several locations and a large campus. The gallery’s postal address is 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley; use the UWA campus map to find the building and your approach.
This is a separate journey from the Perth Cultural Centre and the central Perth galleries. Our Perth art galleries guide covers city options if you are planning a day without leaving the centre.
Public transport
UWA’s public transport guide lists several bus services to Crawley, including Route 950 and the free Purple CAT between Elizabeth Quay Bus Station and UWA. The Purple CAT serves the wider campus, so check the walk from your chosen stop to the gallery.
Use the Transperth JourneyPlanner for your actual travel date. It will help you compare routes, stops and the final walk, particularly for a Saturday visit when some weekday services do not operate.
Parking and payment
The gallery identifies visitor parking off Fairway and in Car Park 52, beneath the building. UWA now uses EasyPark for pay-as-you-go parking. Visitors can use yellow bays; green bays are reserved for specified visitor groups, including gallery visitors. Always follow the signs for the particular bay.
The published visitor rate is $3 per hour, with paid hours Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. Parking is free outside those hours, subject to signs and restrictions. Do not select a discounted student rate unless you qualify.
Check the current EasyPark guidance before driving. If you do not use the app, UWA’s parking information links to an online payment option. A parking space is not guaranteed.
Accessibility and visiting with children
UWA confirms wheelchair access and accessible toilets. A manual wheelchair can be borrowed free from gallery reception; contact staff in advance if you will need it. ACROD parking is available on Fairway, approached via Mounts Bay Road.
Some exhibition material is available in large print or with transcripts and captions. Ask which formats are available for the exhibition you want to see, or contact the gallery to request an alternative format. These provisions should not be assumed to cover every artwork or event.
For a family visit, read the exhibition description and any content advice first. Moving images, sound and the subjects addressed will vary between shows. Check the events programme for suitable activities, or contact the gallery when organising a school or group visit.
Add a walk around UWA
The gallery can be part of a visit to the Crawley campus. After the exhibition, use the campus map to explore the surrounding grounds and choose a route that suits your time and mobility needs. Allow for the walk back to your bus stop or car, and check access separately if you want to enter another university building.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery free?
Admission to the gallery, exhibitions and events is free unless a listing says otherwise. Check individual events for bookings and charges.
Can people who are not UWA students visit?
Yes. The gallery is open to the public during its exhibition seasons.
Is it open on Sunday?
No. Saturday is the usual weekend opening day, from 11am to 4pm, subject to exhibition dates and closures.
Are all three collections always on display?
No. The gallery presents changing exhibitions. Check the current programme if you are travelling to see work from a particular collection.
