The best exhibitions to see in Sydney this month

It's arguable that the beautiful Sarah Bernhardt (the famous French actress) was the world’s first international celebrity, and when Czech artist Alphonse Mucha (1860–1939) painted her, the posters of the painting quickly became ubiquitous in Paris, and were ripped from the streets by collectors as soon as they were pasted up. Now, the work of this art nouveau maestro is coming to the Art Gallery of NSW (AGNSW) this winter, in a Sydney exclusive.

It’s the face that stops the nation. Australia’s favourite portrait prize is back for 2024, and as always it's a delight to see which famous faces have made it into the mix of painterly interpretations. This year, more than 1,000 paintings were submitted, and you can peruse the 57 finalists at the Art Gallery of NSW before they ship off around the country. Along with the Archies, you can check out the Wynne Prize for the best landscape painting of Australian scenery, and the Sulman Prize for the best subject painting, genre painting or mural project 

The Maritime Museum’s chilling new underwater exhibition is more than just a tribute to one of the world’s most celebrated underwater storytellers, shark researchers and conservationists. It’s a call to action for all environmental enthusiasts and future changemakers to protect our beautiful oceans, their animals and their habitats from further threat.

Hot on the regal heels of sold-out tours in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto and Puerto Rico, and a successful Aussie debut Melbourne, it's now Sydney's turn to spotlight Princess Diana's life, showcasing her version of events as told through the lens of her official royal photographer, Anwar Hussein.