The National Gallery of Victoria is a prominent attraction you’ll have to visit in Melbourne, but did you know that it has a branch (sort of) across Hosier Lane called The Ian Potter Centre?
The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia is actually the world’s first major gallery dedicated exclusively to Australian art, comprising over 20 galleries. In this special museum, visitors get to explore the history and many styles and stories of Australian art.
The best part? Free entry!
What to see and do at The Ian Potter Centre (NGV Australia)
The museum is a tad smaller than the actual NGV itself, but the exhibits here are just as rich and diverse.
There’s a clear theme going on here where you can explore the history and styles of Australian art, ranging from traditional paintings and sculptures to modern design and fashion.
The first floor features a number of works by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities.
This exhibit below was an interesting take on The Wizard of Oz:
And a satirical take on pop art:
My personal favourite was this exhibit that uses real earth pigments to form the word ‘language’ through erosion. It’s an interesting physical manifestation of the relationship between land and culture!
There are also traditional sculptures created and used across the different Aboriginal communities:
A modern technological take on Aboriginal art:
Of course, Australian art is not just limited to works by the Aboriginal communities. One of the most outstanding galleries here is the Joseph Brown Collection. The private collection of Australia’s leading art dealer and consultant was donated as the most generous single gift of works of art ever made to a public gallery in Australia.
You will also find a gallery dedicated to contemporary art by modern Australian artists. They typically weave in traditional craft methods or art elements with themes such as modern unhappiness and immigration. These are a reflection of the concerns we have these days.
I remember taking special note of this exhibit as it was done by a Singaporean (or Singapore-raised) artist. Can’t remember what it was about, but it sure makes for a very cute rocking chair that I would love to have at home!
This particular exhibit attracted a lot of eyeballs and photos. Certainly a very apt message that transcends time.
Is The Ian Potter Centre (NGV Australia) worth visiting?
The visit took us about 2 hours to explore and study all the exhibits, which is a fair amount of time you can spend in an afternoon.
As with other museums in Melbourne, the Ian Potter Centre offers a lot of value to all visitors, especially considering that it’s free entry. They have made art and culture appreciation, especially Australian art, widely accessible to the masses. This is different from museums in other countries – I think only the National Museum of Korea is free for all.
I strongly recommend spending a few hours here on a free afternoon to appreciate the Australian artworks. Many of them are highly fascinating and offer interesting insights into local history and societal issues.
DIRECTIONS
Address: Federation Square, Flinders St &, Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Related Posts:
- State Library Victoria: oldest public library in Australia with great exhibits
- National Gallery of Victoria: what to see at Australia’s oldest art museum
- Melbourne Museum: what to see at this comprehensive museum
- ACMI: what to do at the national museum of screen culture
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