Grab your gladrags and get ready to strut down St Kilda Road, because the NGV Gala is set to dazzle Melbourne once more on December 14, 2024.
This isn’t just any old shindig; it’s the pièce de résistance of Australia’s cultural calendar. And this year, the spotlight is firmly on the artistic genius of Yayoi Kusama, with a world-exclusive exhibition that’ll make you see spots—literally.
Picture this: nearly 200 of Kusama’s works sprawled across the NGV International’s ground floor. It’s like stepping into a kaleidoscope of creativity where minimalism meets pop art, with a dash of feminist flair. Born in 1929 Japan, Kusama’s life’s work has been a vibrant splash across the canvas of art history, and this retrospective exhibition is the most comprehensive ever seen on our shores. It even features the global unveiling of her latest immersive infinity mirror room. Talk about a full-circle experience!
But wait, there’s more! The NGV Gala is not just about ogling art. It’s a late-night soiree that promises to be as intoxicating as a Yuzu Highball by Four Pillars Gin. Yes, you can sip on cocktails inspired by Kusama herself while mingling with the who’s who of the art and fashion world. Past galas have seen the likes of Nicole Kidman and Liam Hemsworth, and if that’s not enough to get your inner celebrity excited, there’s also a headline performance that’s bound to get your toes tapping. Previous years have seen acts like Troye Sivan and Salt-N-Pepa bringing the house down.
Tony Ellwood AM, NGV Director and co-chair of the gala, couldn’t contain his excitement: “In 2024, the NGV Gala will be a technicolour celebration of Kusama’s singular worldview. Over her more than eight-decade career, Kusama has developed an instantly recognisable personal style that blurs the boundaries between performance art and fashion.” You heard the man; this is not to be missed.
Edwina McCann, another gala co-chair and Editorial Director at Conde Nast, chimed in with equal enthusiasm: “Yayoi Kusama is one of the most influential and creative women working today – and her iconic work has graced the pages of Vogue magazines the world over. Vogue Australia is proud to be once again partnering with the NGV on the Gala’s sixth iteration celebrating the NGV’s world-premiere retrospective exhibition, Yayoi Kusama.”
So, how do you get your mitts on a ticket to this night of nights? Easy! For early access, sign up via the NGV eNews by August 29. If you’re not one for pre-sale thrills, general tickets go live on September 4. Just head over to ngv.melbourne/gala-subscribe to secure your spot.