Book that Melbourne Trip: MoMA's at the NGV This Winter

Art lovers, this one's for you. As you would've seen (heard or liked) the highly anticipated MoMA at NGV exhibition opened last week in Melbourne. Showcasing 130 years of modern and Contemporary Art (that's more than 200 of twentieth-century masterpieces in one exhibition) this event is a world exclusive and a must-see, especially if you haven't seen the works at their usual home in NYC. (And even if you have.)

Featuring more than 200 iconic pieces from New York’s Museum of Modern Art, this exhibition provides an opportunity to view pieces which have never been seen in Australia before, including works by Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Vincent van Gogh and Andy Warhol.

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What to Expect

The masterpieces from MoMA's celebrated collection will be arranged chronologically in eight sections which explore developments in art and design from the late 19th century to the present day.

From van Gough's "new art" to Gaugin and Cézanne's turn-of-the-century works to cubist compositions from Picasso and Boccioni, there are few parts of the modern movement this exhibition doesn't touch. Dali's surreal works, Mondrian's iconic use of geometry and Pollock's abstract expressionism all feature.

You can expect wall space dedicated to 60's Pop Art with works by Lichtenstein, Warhol, Benglis and LeWitt featuring - and even if these names don't ring a bell, the artworks will. There's much (much) more, but we won't ruin all of it for you.

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Don’t Miss

It goes without saying, but each and every piece included by the curators is worthy of your attention. But there are instantly recognisable masterpieces that are must-sees in the flesh (and not just on the 'gram, which will be inevitable, too).

SALVADOR DALI — THE PERSISTENCE OF MEMORY (1931) Believed to be a tribute to Dali’s hometown in Catalonia, this painting is perhaps the best-known composition of the first half of the 20th century. Exploring the concept of time, the masterpiece features melting clocks set against a coastal background.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjRZPDNH0da/?hl=en&taken-by=ngvmelbourne

VINCENT VAN GOGH — PORTRAIT OF JOSEPH ROULIN (1889) A portrait of a close friend of the artist, this picture was painted by Van Gogh during his year-long visit to Arles, France and is one of a series of portraits depicting the endearing postman who became a confident of Van Gogh.

ANDY WARHOL — MARILYN MONROE (1967) Warhol painted many tributes to the actress following her death in 1962. His series of silk screen prints based on a photograph of Marilyn taken as she promoted the film Niagara, is arguably his most celebrated work.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjqBaVhH0us/?hl=en&taken-by=ngvmelbourne

PIET MONDRIAN — COMPOSITION IN RED, BLUE, AND YELLOW (1930) Eye-catching and memorable, Mondrian’s abstract work always draws the eye. His style was radical for its time and his imagery is often used to this day in textiles, architecture and graphic design. Inspired by Holland’s patchwork of canals, his canvases of primary colours had a profound impact on the artistic developments of succeeding decades.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj-uZr5Hkql/?hl=en&taken-by=ngvmelbourne

For more information and to book tickets, head to the NGV's website here.

Lead image courtesy of the NGV.