The Art Gallery of NSW’s new Sydney Modern wing is a beautiful and interesting building but there is work ahead to ensure it makes an enduring difference to the city’s cultural life.

Since the grand opening on Saturday of the $344 million structure in the Domain, designed by Japanese studio SANAA, most visitors have praised the building’s spacious and unusual design. Unlike traditional galleries, which are often inwardly focused boxes, Sydney Modern has huge glass windows which open out onto harbour views.

The NSW government deserves praise for making this major investment in culture.

The rich benefactors, including Isaac Wakil and Gretel Packer, who as a group stumped up $109 million for the building and $25 million for art to put in it, have also shown that Sydney is home to real art lovers.

Premier Dominic Perrottet says that Sydney Modern will become the best gallery, not just in the country, but the world.

Loading

He earns points for enthusiasm but a touch of reality is needed. The building is forecast to lure two million visitors in its first year, attracted either by curiosity or the hype.

But if people are to keep going to the new gallery, Sydney Modern must keep the public excited.

One of the NSW Art Gallery’s strengths is its curatorial staff who will now have plenty of space to show more of the vast collection which is now in storage.

But that can only go so far. The state government must ensure they have recurrent funding to buy more great art and host more travelling exhibitions. Philanthropists must continue their support, too.