A Major Exhibition Showcasing Hundreds of Works by Victorian Creatives Is Coming to the NGV

From Monet to Basquiat, and from Chanel to Picasso, The NGV has spotlighted plenty of huge international art names in recent years. But now it's set to turn its attention to some artistic legends located a little closer to home. Next autumn, ​​The Ian Potter Centre will kick off the second instalment of its Melbourne Now exhibition, showcasing works from more than 200 Victorian-based artists, designers and studios.

Running from Friday, March 24–Sunday, August 20, the exhibition is set to feature hundreds of artworks, including 60 world-premiere pieces commissioned especially by the NGV. The major collection ranges from fashion, photography and sculpture, to ceramics, virtual reality and performance.

In the lineup, expect to see a diverse spread of emerging and established talent, including names like Atong Atem, Christian Thompson, Nicholas Mangan, Anu Kumar, Lisa Reid, Meagan Streader, Esther Stewart, Pitcha Makin Fellas and more.

Meagan Streader. Photo by Anne Moffat.

The exhibition's scope is huge, speaking to all kinds of themes and inspirations. You'll encounter a giant sculpture featuring a pile of inflatable walking frames, Rel Pham's enormous neon-lit 'temple' made from thousands of computer fans, and a multi-artist photography installation dedicated to challenging the usual conventions of the practice.

A work by Larrakia/Wardaman/Karajarri artist Jenna Lee features luminous hand-painted paper lanterns in the shape of traditional First Nations Gulumerridjin dilly bags, while a 10-metre-long installation by Lee Darroch is made up of collected driftwood representing men and women from Victoria's 38 Indigenous language groups.

Also in the mix: a diverse collection of fashion designs, a photobooth installation, an AI chatbot that's programmed to fall in love and a Design Wall showcasing a bunch of consumer products designed right here in Melbourne over the past 10 years.

Installation view of Design Wall, on display for 'Melbourne Now' 2013 at the NGV. Photo courtesy of the NGV.

'Melbourne Now' will show at The Ian Potter Centre from March 24–August 20, 2023.

Top Image: Atong Atem, photo by Eugene Hyland