MOTHER at NGV: A moving, thought-provoking exhibition you won’t forget
MOTHER: Stories from the NGV Collection at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia is on now and running through winter. This free exhibition explores motherhood in all its complexity—joy, exhaustion, identity, love, loss, and everything in between. It’s thoughtful, emotional, and at times confronting.
Whether you’re a parent, a grandparent, or simply someone who has had a mother, this is one exhibition that speaks to everyone.
What is the NGV MOTHER exhibition about?
Featuring more than 200 works from the NGV collection, MOTHER is the most comprehensive exhibition on motherhood ever presented by a major Australian gallery.
It spans centuries and cultures, bringing together artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Tracey Emin, David Hockney, Rembrandt van Rijn and leading Australian voices including Tracey Moffatt and Patricia Piccinini.
What makes this exhibition so compelling is its honesty. It doesn’t just celebrate motherhood—it examines it from every angle. The beautiful moments sit alongside the difficult ones.
Angie’s review
Coming soon…
How the exhibition is laid out
The MOTHER exhibition unfolds in three distinct chapters, almost like stages of life:
Creating
This opening section looks at conception, pregnancy, and early nurturing. It’s intimate and reflective, focusing on beginnings and the physical and emotional transformation of becoming a mother.
Giving
Here, the focus shifts to the day-to-day reality of caregiving. Expect works that explore identity, responsibility, and the often unseen labour that goes into raising a family. There’s also a fascinating look at cultural expectations—the idea of the “perfect mother” versus the real one.
Leaving
The final section is perhaps the most emotional. It explores grief, separation, and legacy, including stories connected to the Stolen Generations. It also reflects on what mothers pass down—knowledge, memory, and resilience.
Highlights to look out for
There’s a lot to take in, so it helps to know a few standout works before you go.
- David Hockney’s portraits of his mother
Intimate and quietly powerful, these works offer a deeply personal glimpse into the artist’s relationship with his mother. - Ruth O’Leary’s Flinders Street series
Created in a public photobooth after the birth of her child, these works beautifully capture how motherhood reshapes creative life. - Kate Just’s knitted works
Pieces like An Armour of Hope use textile to explore protection, vulnerability, and resilience—deeply moving when seen up close. - Hayley Millar Baker’s film Entr’acte
A striking moving image work honouring the strength of First Nations women and the expectations placed upon them. - Unexpected objects from history
Even a 19th-century feeding bottle makes an appearance, reminding us that motherhood has always been shaped by culture, design, and daily life.
Why this exhibition feels so personal
One of the strengths of MOTHER is how relatable it is.
You don’t need an art background to connect with it. These are stories most of us recognise in some form—caring for others, being cared for, navigating family relationships, and reflecting on those who came before us.
It also offers a chance to see familiar works in a completely different light. Even mythological figures like Circe are reinterpreted through the lens of motherhood, adding new depth to well-known stories.
Planning your visit
- MOTHER: Stories from the NGV Collection
- Where: The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
- When: 27 March – 12 July 2026
- Cost: Free entry
Getting there
Fed Square is one of the easiest spots in Melbourne to reach by public transport. Flinders Street Station is directly opposite, making this a straightforward trip even if you prefer to avoid long walks.
Trams along Swanston Street and St Kilda Road stop nearby, and there are plenty of places to sit and rest around the square before or after your visit.
Tips for making the most of your visit
- Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, enjoy free entry to NGV’s permanent exhibitions or join a free guided tour while you’re there.
- Take your time. This isn’t one to rush. Give yourself at least 60–90 minutes.
- Visit midweek for a quieter experience.
- Also on now is the NGV Top Arts exhibition, a must-visit.
- Combine your visit with a coffee or lunch at one of the nearby Federation Square cafés, including Riverland Bar, Chocolate Buddha, and Transport Hotel.
- Visit nearby galleries ACMI and Koorie Heritage Trust within Fed Square, or take a stroll along the Yarra River.
NGV Australia Accessibility
- Ramp access, lifts and accessible toilets;
- Large print guides, hearing loops and audio guides available;
- Other free access aids include wheelchair hire and fidget devices;
- Support for Assistance Dogs and recognition of Companion and Carer Cards;
The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
Ph 03 8620 2222
ngvenquiries@ngv.vic.gov.au
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