NGV International

You’ve likely seen the ‘Temple of Boom’ standing tall in the NGV Garden, but now there’s a new architectural work set to take shape in the gallery’s outdoor space. Building on a series of annual commissions including the much-loved Pink Pond and the aforementioned colourful Greek-style temple, this year’s NGV Architecture Commission has been announced and it’s sure to be just as breathtaking as its predecessors. However, unlike previous installations, this one will actually be doing the breathing. Opening on November 23, ‘(This is) Air’ will see a giant inflatable sphere that literally inhales and exhales throughout the day become the centrepiece of the garden. The balloon-like structure will morph throughout the day as it draws in and releases air in a natural rhythm. If you get close enough, you may even get to feel a gust as the sphere ‘exhales’.  The work will be created by award-winning Australian architect Nic Brunsdon in conjunction with Eness, a St Kilda-based art installation studio. At more than 14 metres tall, ‘(This is) Air’ seeks to make the invisible visible, drawing attention to the significance of the air we breathe. By making air seen, heard and felt, the work will encourage visitors to consider their connection with and dependency on air as a finite resource.  “The idea for the project was conceived by the architect during the global pandemic, when the air we breathed was suddenly at the forefront of everyone’s mind”, says Ewan McEoin, NGV’s senior curator o

The largest-ever exhibition of fashion from the African continent to hit Australia is setting up shop at the National Gallery of Victoria at the end of May. Africa Fashion is an exhibition from London’s top-notch Victoria & Albert Museum, showcasing almost 200 works created by more than 50 designers, from more than 20 countries.  Expect to be dazzled by the depth and breadth of this collection of couture, body adornments, ready-to-wear fashions and behind-the-scenes materials like photography and film. Africa Fashion is part historical survey and part contemporary showcase, featuring visually arresting garments from icons of twentieth century African fashion (including Kofi Ansah, Chris Seydou and Shade Thomas-Fahm) and contemporary designers alike (including Thebe Magugu, Moshions and  Imane Ayissi. The exhibition starts with a focus on the African independence movement, highlighting the importance of fashion as part of the cultural renaissance seen in the ‘50s and ‘60s, where self-representation and agency were key. Next, Africa Fashion turns the spotlight to the contemporary work of cutting-edge creatives and Africa’s present day dynamic fashion culture. The NGV has also published a public call out to Australia’s African diaspora, seeking family photos and home movies from Africa’s independence and liberation years. These images and stories may then be used in and around the exhibition.  Africa Fashion curator Dr Christine Checinska says she’s looking forward to sharing a

Walk, talk and gawp like an Egyptian with this blockbuster exhibition all about ancient Egyptian art and culture. The NGV's Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition for 2024, titled Pharaoh, will constitute the biggest loan of ancient Egyptian artefacts that the British Museum has ever presented to international audiences – most of which will be on display in Australia for the very first time. Curated especially for the NGV by the British Museum, Pharaoh will run from June 14 until October 6, 2024, and will include a wide display of objects from monumental architecture to awe-inspiring statuary and exquisite pieces of jewellery.  Spanning from the first dynasty (3000 BCE) to the Roman period (fourth century CE), Pharaoh will celebrate some of the works commissioned by Egypt’s most famous kings and queens, including the boy king Tutankhamun; Ramses II and Queen Nefetari; Khufu, builder of the Great Pyramid of Giza; and foreign leaders such as Alexander the Great. The works featured in Pharaoh will provide a sense of the vast scale of this ancient civilisation, including a carved green siltstone 'Head of Tuthmose III'; a five-centimetre wide ivory label depicting King Den of the first dynasty; a larger-than-life limestone status of Ramses II, one of ancient Egypt’s most famous kings as a high priest; and 'The seated statue of Pharoh Sety II', one of the most complete sculptures from ancient Egypt that serve as a testament to the exceptional craftsmanship.  Pharaoh will also ev