In an international exclusive, the NGV announced today that it will present a major exhibition of modern and contemporary masterworks from New York’s iconic Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), to open in June 2018 at NGV International in Melbourne.
The NGV will be the sole international venue for the exhibition, which will showcase renowned art and design from a line-up of seminal artists including Paul Cézanne, Salvador Dalí, Marcel Duchamp, Edward Hopper, Jeff Koons, Henri Matisse, Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Lyubov Popova, Mark Rothko and Vincent van Gogh.
The exhibition will feature around 150 works including some never-before-seen in Australia, and is the largest instalment of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series, for the first time traversing the entire ground floor of NGV International.
MoMA is one of the most illustrious cultural institutions in the world, its global collection of twentieth- and twenty-first- century art second to none. Its diverse collection extends beyond the traditional fine arts of painting, sculpture, drawing, and printmaking, to include architecture and design, film and photography.
A multi-disciplinary approach to the exhibition display will see paintings and sculpture exhibited alongside drawings, prints, photographs, furniture, design objects, graphic design and architecture.
The Hon. Premier Daniel Andrews said: ‘Picasso, van Gogh and Matisse: only in Melbourne will you see this roll call of history’s most iconic art figures – it will be an experience not to be missed. MoMA is one of the most prestigious modern art galleries in the world and its partnership with the NGV is testament to Victoria’s reputation as an international cultural destination.’
Tony Ellwood, Director, NGV said: ‘This exciting exhibition will showcase an unparalleled collection of modern and contemporary art and design. We are delighted to be working with MoMA to bring such an extraordinary and diverse selection of works to Melbourne. Our visitors will be able to experience first-hand the momentous change and creativity in the development of modern art, and consequently appreciate contemporary art and design with greater understanding.’
Glenn D. Lowry, Director, MoMA said: ‘MoMA’s mission is to share our story of modern and contemporary art with the widest possible audience, to encourage the understanding and enjoyment of the art of our time. We are thrilled to have this opportunity to share these important works from nearly every area of our collection with the NGV and the many visitors who will take advantage of this rare opportunity.’
The exhibition will explore the emergence and development of major art movements and represent more than 130 years of radical artistic innovation. It will also reflect the wider technological, social and political developments that transformed society over the twentieth century, and which contributed to the formation of our twenty-first century globalised world.
The exhibition will reveal the ways in which artists have sought to be agents of change, transforming society and creating new worlds through their work, demonstrating how the development of new materials and technology has enabled artists to realise their visions in inventive ways.
Masterworks from MoMA will be on display at NGV International from 9 June 2018 – 7 October 2018.
Organised by the Museum of Modern Art, New York in partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria.
About MoMA
MoMA is arguably the foremost museum of modern art in the world. Its comprehensive collection attracts over 3,000,000 visitors through its New York doors annually. It has a unique dual commitment to presenting modern art while championing the art of the immediate present. The museum’s collection of modern and contemporary art includes works of architecture and design, drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, prints, illustrated books and artist books, film and electronic media. The collection contains almost 200,000 works by over 10,000 artists. The structure of MoMA has set international standards. It was the first museum to recognise photography, cinema, architecture and industrial design as deserving dedicated departments that belong in an art museum. Complementing these offerings is its vigorous programs of exhibitions and audience engagement initiatives.
About the NGV
The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is the oldest and most visited public art museum in Australia. Established in 1861, the NGV has two buildings displaying the NGV Collection – NGV International on St Kilda Road and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square. NGV International houses the Gallery’s collections of International art and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia is home to the Australian art collection – including works by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities. The NGV Collection includes over 70,000 art works from many centuries and cultures. The NGV offers an extraordinary visual arts experience with diverse temporary exhibitions, Collection displays, talks, tours, programs for kids, films, late-night openings and performances. In 2015, 2.4 million people visited the National Gallery of Victoria.