The maps illustrate the layout of an art gallery in Australia between 1950 and the present day.
Overall, the gallery experienced considerble changes during period shown. The most noticeable differances between the two maps are the original courtyard had been replaced to allow for the expansion of new facilities such as children’s art school, toilets and new art sections.
In 1950, visitors entering the museum would find the bookshop immediately to the left and the sculpture area straight ahead. Next to the bookshop was a temporary exhibition and a café further along the left-hand side. On the right-hand side, there was Australia Art, Middle European Art, and Early European Art, in that order. Behind the sculpture area, there was a courtyard.
In the present layout, the bookshop remains in the same location to the left of the entrance, followed by a temporary exhibition. The café has been moved closer to the entrance, and a toilet has been added nearby. The sculpture area still occupies the central position. On the right, Asian Art has been added at the far end, with Middle European Art and Early European Art remaining in similar positions as before. The back of the museum now houses Australian Aboriginal Art and Australian Art, while a Children’s art school has been introduced on the far left side.