Melbourne Now by Paris Lettau
⬤ National Gallery of Victoria | The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia 24 Mar - 20 Aug 2023
Melbourne Now is old. Sure, it already happened ten years ago, but I mean literally. Of the 120 or so artists on display, a mere 6% are in their twenties.
Let’s put it another way. Melbourne art is a dysfunctional family, and the NGV is the home of its ageing father. The walls of his house are decorated with mementos of the past, a testament to his powerful influence over family history. While his embarrassing behaviour can sometimes cause discomfort, he still holds sway over his obedient children, whom he treats with affection and respect. For Melbourne Now, he has wandered the neighbourhood to see what the kids are up to.
First spotted are artists associated with the well-behaved Gertrude Contemporary, who are given pride of place. Scotty So (b. 1995) commands the thoroughfare from ground to level two, while Mia Boe (b. 1997) and Atong Atem (b. 1994) are handed generous space and resources—second only to the real-estate inherited by James Lemon (b. 1993)—to pursue ambitious installations of their respective painting and photographic practices (cue wallpaper machine). But spot the difference. (Boe eschewed what is practically an injunction to print wallpaper and produced her own stunning mural.)