The SA Art Gallery, the SA Museum and State Library are all right next to each other and all are free. The Migration Museum is just around the corner so there is a lot to see in the immediate area. However the Gallery alone can easily take a few hours so if you have the time, it is best to spread them over more than one day. It’s a fascinating gallery with some standout pieces and some controversial exhibits. Unlike many galleries, it is organised thematically so that collections are gathered under labels like ‘Being Human’ and ‘Agony & Ecstasy’. Chronology is out the window and instead, you may unexpectedly see Impressionists next to an Indigenous work or, even more unexpectedly, a dead horse alongside a portrait of King George III. Whilst this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (and I’m not sure that it’s mine), it does challenge. I was surprised to find that it made me look at works more individually. In conventional galleries, it’s easy to trail along looking at a wall full of similar artworks and sometimes find yourself skimming over them. The most controversial pieces are in the Melrose wing. Here you can see the disturbing ‘We are All Flesh’ (Berlinde de Bruyckere) - two dead horse carcasses meshed together and strung up from a meathook (Gallery 13). Definitely not an easy one to look at. There’s also Patricia Piccinini’s ‘Big Mother’, a life-sized baboon nursing a human infant (Gallery 12) - not particularly confronting in itself except that it is deliberately placed in front of a traditional painting of Mary nursing baby, Jesus. I was intrigued by gallery 14, a room entirely given over to Chiharu Shiota’s Absence Embodied. A spider-web like construction of woven red fibres, it was fun to wander through. If you are trying to engage kids, this one will appeal. Over in the Elder Wing, there is a wonderful collection of bronzes by the modernist sculptor Auguste Rodin, as well as a large number of early Australian paintings. If like us, you have just visited Hahndorf, it’s worth looking out for Hans Heysen’s paintings. It is worth noting that the gallery also has a small collection of European old and new masters, including Renoir, van Dyck, Francis Bacon, and Pissarro. However they are scattered throughout the gallery so you will have to hunt them out. Often they were placed higher on the walls and were a little difficult to see. I had to crane my neck to see the Renoir, a small painting of his youngest child, Coco. NOTES:
 * We spent about 2 hours here and we didn’t cover everything. Given more time, I'd have liked to return. * The free city tram line stops out the front * The Gallery is open from 10am-5pm. Entry is free * Free guided tours are run at 11am and 2pm every day - unfortunately we missed it but I saw the tail end of one and it sounded very good * A free map is available at the front desk (although it is only a very basic floorplan) * Backpacks are OK but they will ask you to carry them on your front

Being from Sydney, I didn't think there would be galleries better than ours in other states but I was wrong! the Art Gallery Of South Australia would have to be better than any of the galleries that I have seen in Sydney. The gallery is completely free to enter, unless of course you are there for a paid exhibition and houses many amazing treasures. My friend and I spent well over an hour walking through the art gallery and looking at all of the beautiful works of art. I was pleasantly surprised to find a digital portrait of Lady Gaga in the museum, made this Little Monster very happy

A beautiful gallery with a wide variety of art. Loved the ‘Reimagining the Renaissance’ area and was especially excited to see Priestess of Delphi by John Collier. This is one of my favourite works of art and it was such a treat to see it in real life and on my birthday! I do wish the gift shop sold large prints of it as I would have loved to purchase one. I have seen some reviews regarding the sculpture ‘We are all flesh’ by Belgian artist Berlinde De Bruyckere… yes, it is confronting and controversial but that comes with the territory when you expose yourself to art. Many people have said it’s no longer a child friendly gallery but in reality life is far more confronting and controversial. Art isn’t here to cuddle you softly to sleep, it should get a reaction. When a work of art shakes you, take the time to delve into it and learn from it. Sheltering the youth does nothing for the future. I thought this sculpture was eye opening, I loved it, I love that it wasn’t passive, I love that it was shocking and disturbing. What is art if it doesn’t get a reaction out of you? I think this is a very valuable piece. Besides, you can’t cry about this if you’re serving animal corpses on your kids dinner plate every night for dinner. Stop hiding behind disassociation. My only disappointment and the reason I didn’t give 5 stars, was there was a piece that did not have a plaque with its name or a QR code to get more information on. I did ask a staff member but his response was that he doesn’t know, it’s quite gory and if I look at the details I should be able to work it out. I did understand the concept but I would have loved to have the name of the work and artist to be able to learn more about it.

I visited Australias most beautiful city Adelaid in summer. Hardly ever I would spend time IN buildings, but since I am a museum lover (have been to more than 200 museums around the world), I could not resist this Art Gallery - and was rewarded with an inspiring visit of a special museum. Due to the fact of too many objects and too small rooms the density of pieces of art in a room is unique. Some critics would argue: Too much, too different, does not fit - I did not have this idea but was happy to see sooo many amazing pieces of art in such few rooms. And it is for free! - You can always take a break at the cafeteria and start anew...

We really enjoyed our 3 hours here. Small enough to not overwhelm and big enough to give variety. I like the way it’s curated by themes rather than grouping art styles or artists together. Those who said itv was all mixed up in some bad reviews were not reading the information displayed in each room explaining the themes. I loved it.

Enjoyed all the sculptures and pieces on display. Took our time walking around and enjoying each gallery. It’s free entry and also has free guided tours at certain times. Staff are lovely and helpful.