Of major significance is a recent donation of artwork by Lionel Lindsay on display for the very first time anywhere.

The 100 years of Australian art on show is traced firstly through Lionel Lindsay’s work completed in the early 20^th Century.

“As part of the exhibition, the curators have built in stunning layers for children, for people with sensory needs and for people affected by dementia, all to explore more of the genius that Lionel Lindsay was,” MRAG cultural director Brigette Uren said.

“A new smartphone app also details the life and work of Lionel to understand better the artist himself.”

From there it is all about the swinging 60s and 70s in Jim Anderson’s Lampoon exhibition.

The 80s, 90s and 2000s are covered by Fine to the Fabulous – a celebration of the 30^th anniversary of the Maitland Embroiderers Group.

Three other exhibitions include artists working at much larger scale, such as Frank Murri’s extraordinary mathematical installation Colonial Afterlives, and Back to the Dark Ages by Locust Jones, which features staggering 10 metre scrolls.