- Published:
- Saturday 2 December 2023
Melbourne has added another blockbuster exhibition to its summer calendar of creative events with the opening of the iconic NGV Triennial today, backed by the Allan Labor Government.
The free exhibition brings 100 world-class works by local and international artists to Melbourne for Victorians and visitors from interstate and overseas to enjoy, taking over all four levels of NGV International to explore the themes of Magic, Matter and Memory.
Some of the biggest names in the art world will showcase their works - from counterculture icon Yoko Ono to renowned British artist Tracy Emin – to 25 world premiere projects.
A large-scale text work by Ono will feature on the NGV’s exterior, satirical UK artist David Shrigley’s seven-metre high ‘thumbs up’ sculpture will take pride of place on the NGV forecourt, while fashion lovers will flock to a collection of works from legendary fashion house Schiaparelli by creative director Daniel Roseberry.
Works by First Nations artists will also feature, including Mun-dirra, a 100-metre-long woven fish fence produced by 13 artists working in Arnhem Land, and an eight-metre eel trap cast in bronze, luk bagurrk gunga, by Aunty Kim Wandin, presented in the gallery’s moat.
More than an exhibition, the NGV Triennial will come to life with a program of talks, tours, entertainment and fun activities for kids and families. From 19-28 January, the Triennial EXTRA will deliver a 10-day night-time program of free music, DJs, talks, performance, dance and more.
The legacy of the Triennial will live on after the exhibition closes, with more than 75 of its works on display to go into the NGV’s Collection.
The inaugural NGV Triennial, held in 2017, attracted more than 1.2 million visitors, the highest attended exhibition in the NGV’s history, boosting local jobs, our vibrant hospitality and hotel sector and the economy.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks
“We’re ready for a huge summer of art with the return of the NGV Triennial. Free and exclusive to Melbourne, the exhibition brings together the work of more than 120 of the most exciting artists and designers working around the world today – attracting visitors from across Victoria and interstate to the heart of Melbourne."
“We’re proud to back this latest instalment of NGV's blockbuster Triennial which will draw visitors from across the state and the country, support more local jobs across the sector to celebrate these timeless works.”
Quotes attributable to NGV Director Tony Ellwood AM
“The 2023 NGV Triennial offers audiences a valuable opportunity to experience new and surprising forms of creative expression from around the globe, which, together, present a compelling snapshot of the world as it is, while also asking how we would like it to be.”