David Shrigley: Life and Life Drawing at NGV

 

This summer, NGV presents David Shrigley: Life and Life Drawing, a comprehensive exhibition – his first major survey in Australia – of new and recent work by the internationally renowned Glasgow-based artist. Shrigley has developed a cult following for his stripped-back, darkly humourous and deliberately crude drawings that explore existential dramas, human dysfunction and anxiety.

David Shrigley: Life and Life Drawing encompasses drawings, paintings, sculpture, animated videos, artist books and a major new commission for NGV International’s Waterwall titled General Store. The artist’s omnipresent sense of humour lies at the heart of these works, which are manifest in tragicomic narratives that reflect on the banality and absurdity of everyday life and objects.

As English art critic Adrian Searle has noted, ‘Shrigley’s work is very wrong and very bad in all sorts of ways. It is also ubiquitous and compelling. There are lots of artists who, furrowing their brows and trying to convince us of their seriousness, aren’t half as profound or compelling.’

Dates: 14/11/2014 to 1/3/2015

This is a free event.

At the NGV: National Gallery of Victoria

Spinning slowly, inviting every visitor to climb onto one of the shimmering shiny seats, the Golden Mirror Carousel stands in the forecourt of the NGV ( International ) at St Kilda Road. It reminds one of childhood days in the theme park, riding on the merry go round, but this one is the poshiest and most glamorous one can ever imagine. Sitting on it, slowing making its round, one can almost feel royal and elegant, like a centrepiece where the spectators are watching, like some special guest on a special ride, taking your time and enjoying the moment.

This is the installation of Carsten Holler, Belgian artist now working in Stockholm. His carousels are some of his well known projects. It’s inviting you to take a magical ride and best of all, most of the collections and exhibitions in the NGV are totally free, and world class.

Melbourne Now until 23/3/14

Get the free Melbourne Now app: NOW

http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/melbournenow

Melbourne Now celebrates the latest art, architecture, design, performance and cultural practice to reflect the complex cultural landscape of creative Melbourne.

This ambitious and far-reaching exhibition across The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia and NGV International presents the various ways in which visual artists and creative practitioners profoundly contribute to the society in which we live, and to Melbourne as a city with a unique and dynamic cultural identity.

Melbourne Now is a collaborative, cross-disciplinary project that has involved staff from all areas of the NGV, as well as a team of guest curators and artistic collaborators whose expertise and networks represent the excellence and diversity of Melbourne’s cultural community.

The exhibition involves more than 175 individual and group presentations, as well as a suite of special projects which extend from the visual arts to architecture and design, dance and choreography, performance art and sound. We acknowledge the significant involvement of participating artists, designers and practitioners, and the equally important support provided by philanthropic, government and corporate partners.

Melbourne Now includes a series of ‘exhibitions within the exhibition’, commissions for children and families, installations by artists engaging with the NGV collection, off-site and special projects and a Community Hall and garden inviting a wide range of community expression.

The Melbourne Now project is supported by a suite of dedicated publications, including a limited-edition volume, exhibition guide, a children’s book, and an ebook which will be updated over the course of the exhibition. You can download the e-book for free via the Apple app store or view it online. In addition, a Melbourne Now App has been developed that allows visitors to explore the exhibition and public programs – to plan itineraries, discover multimedia content and find out where and when special events and new activities are happening.

Download your free app now.

clinamen @ NGV

A beautiful acoustic installation by renowned French artist and composer , Celeste Boursier Mougenot.

Unbelievably huge and intensively blue, it is a centrepiece in the main foyer.

What a stunning idea to put something so simple as floating porcelain bowls in gently circulating water such that they move naturally and collide with each other creating a beautiful chime and a musical performance on its own.

The exhibit will be on display until 8 Sep 2013 at the NGV International, St Kilda Road. Entry is free.

Books on Melbourne at the NGV shop

Get to know more about this beautiful city, its past and present. These books are available at the NGV shop in Federation Square.

When you go to Melbourne: A journey with Maree Coote ( a child’s discovery of Melbourne )
Melbourne Architecture by Philip Goad ( cover: Fed Square building in setting sun)
Beyond the Facade: Flinders Station, more than just a railway station by Jenny Davies
Laneways of Melbourne by Kornelia Freeman & Ulo Pukk ( cover : Degraves St at dusk)
The Encyclopedia of Melbourne by Andrew Brown May and Shurlee Swain ( cover: city from Southbank)
Land of Sunshine: A snapshot of Melbourne street art by Dean Sunshine
Melbourne by Menu: themed walks and adventures by Explore Australia
Melbourne Bars and Pubs: A guide to the best bars and pubs published by mb&p
Flavours of Melbourne by Charmaine O’Brien: A Culinary Biography
Melbourne, a city of stories, edited by Deborah Smith ( cover: old picture of Bourke St in early 1900s)
Collins: the story of Australia’s premier street by Judith Buckrich
Marvelous Melbounre and Me: Living in Melbourne in the 20th century by Bruce Mcbrien ( cover: picture of Spring St 1928)
Melbourne Tram Book by Randall Wilson & Dale Budd