FIRST LOOK: NGV Triennial 2020, NGV International, Melbourne

From 19 December 2020 to 18 April 2021 the National Gallery of Victoria’s Triennial Exhibition will be showing at NGV International.

The first instalment of the NGV Triennial in 2017 was the NGV’s most visited exhibition ever– with 1.23 million people through the doors (although I suspect I count for a couple of visits).

I thoroughly enjoyed the 2017 inaugural NGV Triennial, and found that one visit just wasn’t enough.  The wide range of art was accessible for a wide range of interests and age groups. I am definitely looking forward to visiting this year.

What is NGV Triennial?

The NGV Triennial is an expansive showcase of contemporary art sourced globally, with over 80 established and emerging artists and designers featured.  Audiences will be invited to explore four themes: Illumination, Reflection, Conservation and Speculation.

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NGV Triennial Highlights

There are over 30 major works specially commissioned for NGV Triennial that will be making their world premiere.

These include: Transforming the NGV Gallery Kitchen Café with inspiration drawn from the boudoir, nightclub and salon in a collaboration between Adam Nathaniel Furman and Sibling Architecture. 

There is a collection of Bioplastic Facemasks made by Alice Potts.  They are created from food waste and dyed with flowers she collected in London’s parks during 2020, and highlight the use of single use PPE and the need to explore more sustainable alternatives.

Julian Opie (who you may remember from his 2018 exhibition and fabulous kids activities), has been commissioned to create a series of animated birds displayed on LED screens along St Kilda Road.

Cerith Wyn Evans has created a large scale neon artwork that changes as the viewer moves around the work and views it from an altered perspective.

Glenda Nicholls has hand woven thousands of finger knots and adorned the expansive net created with feather flowers.  This work is a display of skills and knowledge passed through generations by Indigenous artisans, and reflects on the involvement of Aboriginal women in traditional fishing practices.

Is NGV Triennial Suitable for kids?

As well as being lots for kids to appreciate inside NGV Triennial, there is also dedicated kids space, Moja Moja Life: Misaki Kawai for Kids. 

There may be some areas that are unsuitable for younger children, however they will be clearly signed.

Does it cost money to visit?

Entry to NGV Triennial and Moja Moja Life: Misaki Kawai is free. However, bookings are required.

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