Hal Missingham AO (1906-1994), best known as a gallery director, was also an artist and photographer. Before World War II he studied in Perth, Paris and London, where he became friendly with a number of leading artists and developed an interest in photography. He returned to Sydney in 1941 and after a stint in the AIF helped to found the Studio of Realist Art. In 1945 he succeeded Will Ashton as the Director of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, a post he retained until 1971. His collection policy made an outstanding contribution to Australian contemporary art and he was responsible for bringing a number of influential international exhibitions to the country. His memoir of his career as an arts administrator, They Kill You in the End, was published in 1973.
Temporary road closures will be in place around the Gallery until 11 March during the Enlighten Festival.
