Art After Hours, the Gallery's Wednesday evening events program celebrates the rare and beautiful exhibition, Celestial Silks: Chinese religious & court textiles.

For six weeks, visitors to Art After Hours will be treated to a series of half-hour concerts performed by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. The concerts, in the Gallery's majestic 19th century courts, comprise a different ensemble each week.

The first of these engaging concerts is a performance by a finalist from the Sydney International Piano Competition of Australia. This is a great opportunity to hear one of the world�s best pianists from this renowned international competition. The five other concerts comprise saxophone, brass, jazz, chorale and cello performances by talented students and department heads from the Conservatorium.

In addition to these concerts at 6.30pm, visitors can enjoy traditional Chinese instruments within the Celestial Silks exhibition performed by Jonathan Xue and Patricia Li Tian Chung at 5.30pm, Jazz in the ArtBar at 7.30pm and free film screenings in the Gallery's Domain Theatre at 7.15pm.

Celestial Silks: Chinese religious & court textiles. Opening 31 July, this sumptuous exhibition features over 70 exquisite textiles worn by emperors and officials of Chinese imperial courts from the 6th Century to 19th Century. Displayed in the Gallery's new Asian wing, highlights include magnificent dragon robes, Tibetan monastery textiles and other court apparel. Entry fees: $8 / $5 concession.

Art After Hours is the Gallery's late night Wednesday events program. Running since January 2003, the Gallery keeps its doors open late one evening each week for visitors to enjoy exhibitions and themed events after work until 9pm.

ART AFTER HOURS CELESTIAL SILKS PROGAM DETAILS
All events free (Admission charges apply for certain exhibitions)

5.30pm Traditional Chinese performance
Bamboo flute, xindi and guzheng performed by Jonathan Xue and Patricia Li Tian Chung in the Celestial Silks exhibition (4 Aug - 1 Sep).

6.30pm Concerts in the 19th century courts.
Performed by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music

28 July Special performance by finalist from the 2004 Sydney International Piano Competition of Australia.
4 August Andrew Evans & Brass ensemble
11 August Judy Bailey & Jazz ensemble
18 August Georg Pedersen & Cello ensemble
25 August Mark Walton & Saxophone Orchestra
1 September Neil McEwan & Chorale ensemble

7.15pm Films
A free program of cinema complements exhibitions on view. Highlights include Luis Buñuel's That Obscure Object of Desire (4 August) and Chen Kaige's Farewell my Concubine (18 August).

7.30pm Jazz in the ArtBar
Trios from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music perform in the Gallery's ArtBar where you can enjoy a glass of wine and light evening menu.

7.30pm Guided Tours
Guided tours of the Celestial Silks exhibition as well as the Gallery�s permanent collection.

Exhibitions on View
Celestial Silks: Chinese religious & court textiles 31 July - 10 October
Biennale of Sydney until 15 August
Australian Postwar Photodocumentary until 8 August
James Angus 7 August - 4 October
Dobell Prize for Drawing 21 August - 17 October

Art After Hours, Every Wednesday 5-9pm
www.artafterhours.com.au or 1800 679 278
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney, Australia

MEDIA INFORMATION:
Margaux Simms
Press Office, Art Gallery of New South Wales
Telephone 02 9225 1618
Email margauxs@ag.nsw.gov.au

Image 1: Chuba with dragon design Woven 1700s, constructed 1800s. Collection Art Gallery of New South Wales
Image 2: Robe c1450. The Chris Hall Collection Trust
Image 3: Concert performed in the 19th century courts by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music