The wild and wonderful art of the NGV Triennial

From marine creatures made out of ocean litter to a fruitful take on Greek mythology, these are the must-see exhibits of the NGV Triennial.

Staging a major exhibition of 86 projects by 100 artists, designers and collectives from 30 countries is a monumental task in any language — and that’s without a global pandemic in the background.

“Melbourne is very far away, and for any artist, it’s a big commitment to send work there,” South African artist and designer Porky Hefer said.

“But it’s incredible to see such an amazing international collection of art opening in Melbourne, especially during these times, when the world is going through so much. I’m quite mind-blown about it.”

Porky Hefer’s Buttpus. Picture: David Caird

Hefer’s work — imaginary sea creatures, evolved and mutated due to ocean pollution — is one of many highlights featuring at NGV Triennial, a free exhibition opening at the NGV International on Saturday. .

His 14m-wide octopus, Buttpus, is made with giant hand-felted cigarette butts. Other pieces reimagine marine animal affected by cotton swabs, plastic bags and coffee cups.

Other standouts at the exhibition include:
VENUS, a sculpture by US artist Jeff Koons, which stands at 2.5 metres and is made of mirror-finish stainless steel.

Tony Matelli’s Hera statue. Picture: David Caird

Cecilie Bendixen’s cloud formations. Picture: David Caird

NATURAL History 2020, a work by David Allen Burns and Austin Young, an eye-popping work which sets photographs of local flora and selected NGV artworks against a backdrop of “asynchronous repeat patterns printed onto fabric wall coverings.”

CECELIE Bendixen’s skyscape of four large illuminated voluminous textile clouds.

MINIATURE hand-carved lime wood sculptures by Tomoaki Suzuki.

B OTANICAL PAVILION, a sensorial walkway by architect Kengo Kuma and artist Geoffrey Nees.

Fallen Fruit by artists David Allen Burns and Austin Young. Picture: Supplied.

TONY Matelli’s Watermelon Statue, where form meets fruit, specifically the Greek goddess Hera and some well-laced fruit.

A GIANT 100-square-metre video wall showing abstract images of nature using artificial intelligence and quantum computing; a work by Turkish media artist and director Refik Anadol.

BTVV, an “apartment” where everything is out of scale, and a statement on low-quality property development.

BOUDOIR Babylon, a tripped out technicolour space by Adam Furman and Sibling Architecture.

A ball made from optical lenses from glasses by Stuart Haygarth called Optical. Picture: David Caird

NGV director Tony Ellwood said: ‘The NGV Triennial offers visitors a significant opportunity to explore how we use art to express ourselves, communicate and consider the world as it is, while also asking how we would like it to be.

“We are all living in a world in flux: there has never been a more important moment to celebrate human capability than now.”

Misaki Kawai’s Moja Moja Life. Picture: David Caird

It is the second instalment of the NGV Triennial, which is held every three years.

The inaugural exhibition, held in 2017, set records as the NGV’s most attended exhibition to date, with 1.23 million visitors.

With the NGV ready to open its doors again, the gallery’s assistant director of exhibitions management and design, Don Heron, said: “Our team has put in an incredible effort to bring works from more than 30 countries to Melbourne during a challenging year.”