Cover image of the review
Installation view of J Davies’s work on display as part of the Melbourne Now exhibition at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Melbourne from 24 March to 20 August 2023. Photo: Sean Fennessy

Melbourne Now by Paris Lettau


1 Apr 2023
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.

Installation view of Atong Atem’s work on display as part of the Melbourne Now exhibition at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Melbourne from 24 March to 20 August 2023. Photo: Tom Ross
Installation view of Mia Boe’s For the angels in paradise 2023 on display as part of the Melbourne Now exhibition at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Melbourne from 24 March to 20 August 2023. Photo: Sean Fennessey

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.)

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