NGV Australia reopens to the public

Take a deep breath and step outside. Listen carefully. Can you hear it? Culture is calling.

A not-so-little taster to start with. NGV Australia at Fed Square is opening up to the public on Monday 23 November with the premiere retrospective exhibition DESTINY, which showcases the work of respected artist Destiny Deacon. ‘The DESTINY exhibition is a not-to-be-missed solo survey, highlighting the poignant and humorous perspective of one of Australia’s most accomplished living artists, Destiny Deacon,’ says Tony Ellwood AM, Director, NGV.

DESTINY is Deacon’s first solo show in over 15 years. It features more than 100 multi-disciplinary works created over a 30-year period. Witness acclaimed works such as ‘Blak lik me’ (1991) and a number of video works spanning Deacon’s career created with her long-time collaborator Virigina Fraser, the late Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi photographer Michael Riley and West Australian performance artist Erin Hefferon. The exhibition also includes the newly commissioned photography series ‘Dolly Eyes’ (2020).

NGV Australia will also open with two new and free exhibitions: TIWI and Ivan Durrant: Barrier Draw. TIWI is the largest ever exhibition of Tiwi art. It will showcase works from 1911 to present day from over 70 artists. The exhibition presents 153 works that have been rigorously selected from the NGV Collection alongside 130 historical and contemporary works by artists from the Tiwi Islands’ most significant cultural institutions: Jilamara Arts & Crafts Association, Munupi Arts & Crafts Association, Tiwi Design and Ngaruwanajirri. Ivan Durrant, a leading exponent of photorealism and natural storyteller, will be celebrated in a major survey paying tribute to five decades of his extraordinarily diverse career.

Visitors will also be able to explore other exhibitions including Top Arts 2020, Marking Time: Indigenous Art from the NGV and some of the NGV’s most popular Australian art works from the NGV Collection. Free timed tickets to visit NGV Australia at Fed Square will be available to book on their website from 16 November.

The NGV will be doing its bit to keep serving up COVID doughnuts by implementing social distancing measures, hand sanitiser stations and increased cleaning of facilities. A good thing, too, because should we make it to Saturday 19 December, we will be rewarded with the smorgasbord that is NGV Triennial at NGV International. Presenting 86 projects of large-scale international contemporary art, design and architecture by more than 100 artists, designers and collectives, NGV Triennial explores some of the most globally relevant and pressing issues of our time, including isolation, representation and speculation on the future – and all of it is free!

‘The reopening of NGV Australia at Fed Square is a great moment for Victorians and heralds a fantastic season of art for us to enjoy. The gallery is a much-loved destination for people of all ages and these world-premiere exhibitions, alongside our incredible Australian art offering, are the perfect way to welcome visitors,’ says Minister for Creative Industries, Danny Pearson.

Melbourne, welcome back. See you at NGV Australia!

NGV Australia
Re-opens Monday 23 November 2020
The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Federation Square, Melbourne 3000
ngv.vic.gov.au