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NGV Triennial Breaks Records With One Million Visitors

29 March 2018

The National Gallery of Victoria’s contemporary art blockbuster – the NGV Triennial – has welcomed its one millionth visitor, making it the most attended exhibition in the gallery’s 157-year history.

With two weeks still to go, the summer exhibition has delighted and inspired visitors of all ages, attracting tourists from across Australia and around the world.

The Melbourne-exclusive exhibition is the NGV’s most ambitious undertaking of its kind to date, transforming all four levels of the St Kilda Road gallery with spectacular and immersive works of art, design and architecture by more than 100 artists and designers from 32 countries.

Highlights include Australian artist Ron Mueck’s world-premiere installation Mass, 2016-17, comprising 100 monumental skulls, a major new participatory installation by Japan’s Yayoi Kusama, and Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei’s crystal-encrusted, Marie Antoinette-inspired haute couture gowns.

The free, ten-day festival in January – Triennial EXTRA – drew more than 85,000 people through the NGV and already the exhibition has welcomed more than 92,000 children.

The exhibition, part of the Andrews Labor Government-backed NGV Summer series, is free and complemented by extensive public and education programs.

The works explore some of the critical issues of our time and cover all artforms – from 3D printing to robotics, as well as performance, film, painting, drawing, fashion design, tapestry and sculpture.

The exhibition is open over the Easter public holidays and in its final weeks will host a range of public programs and events. For more information, go to http://ngv.melbourneExternal Link .

Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley

“It’s no surprise that visitors of all ages, from right across Victoria and beyond, have embraced the NGV’s inaugural Triennial exhibition in record numbers.”

“The success of this exhibition not only cements NGV’s reputation as a global cultural powerhouse – it showcases the strength and vitality of our Creative State.”

“This exhibition is the first of its kind at the NGV – and its roaring success shows us that great contemporary art continues to inspire locals, tourists and art lovers alike.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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