Now At NGV: Lucy McRae’s Body Architect

The NGV showcases some of the most extraordinary modern art and Lucy McRae’s newest exhibition Body Architect is no exception. Body Architect explores themes of a futuristic manner in a range of technical mediums. Viewers are able to walk through the light filled exhibition of photography and video at Federation Square’s NGV until Sunday, 9 February 2020. 

English-born McRae gives the audience a funky and feminine look into what the future may bring. This exhibition is striking and beautiful in its content and layout. Each piece of art is emotive and intriguing. Viewers can’t take their eyes off videos such as Swallowable Parfum, 2014, and Future Day Spa, 2016. The collection contains so much depth but also portrays a particular fundamental truth within all the artworks.

Body Architect displays a range of different methods with each piece staying true to McRae’s unique style. The future of technology combined with body manipulation and distortion is prevalent throughout the show. McRae explores a realm of the future much less travelled and sees the future as ‘fleshy and feminine’. Instead of viewing the future as robotic and ignoring basic human emotion, McRae believes the future to involve and incorporate our current human abilities and vulnerabilities.   Contemporary photography, installations, video and a range of commissioned work including music videos and album covers showcase McRae’s colourful and established creative career. 

Residing in Amsterdam, McRae has had a fruitful career in art and design. Winning Time’s best invention in 2007 for a dress which tells one’s emotion, it’s not hard to see her obsession with a technology-leading future. McRae’s sci-fi aesthetic makes her one of the only labelled ‘sci-fi’ artists. Her art is truly one of a kind and her creative influences shine through. Incorporated into her art is the aspect of her ballet training. Viewers can see this through her films of body manipulation as the actors are clearly technically trained in dance. 

Body Architect is a show not to missed by artists and modern art lovers. If you’re lacking inspiration in any field, this one of a kind artist is a sure way to spark new ideas. 

Lucy McRae | Body Architect
Till Sunday, 9 February 2020, open 7 days, 10am to 5pm
NGV Australia, Ground Level, NGV Design Studio, Federation Square
ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/lucy-mcrae