Degas A New Vision at the NGV

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I took my two year old to visit the Degas exhibition currently showing at Melbourne’s NGV. My daughter and I commute into the city together and she had become entranced by the promotional pictures on the outside of the gallery. Every time we passed, and for perhaps 20 minutes of the drive home she would ask me about the “lady” depicted in one of Degas’s portraits. When we entered the exhibition my heart sank. There wasn’t another child in sight, rather the exhibition of the French master’s work was attended by very serious looking arty folk. I should not have worried. As we strolled from masterpiece to masterpiece she asked me what each one was about. Degas’ artwork while not in the least childlike does depict subject matter that was appealing to my little girl – horses, the Parisian ballet, scenes of domestic life. As her interest waned in one masterpiece she would say “more, more” and lead me to the next.

The outing was for me a revelation. Experienced as I am to parenting her two wild older brothers, the quiet, contemplative interaction of my two year old with this traditional art exhibition turned my expectation of parenting on its head. Certainly taking my three children together to Degas a New Vision wouldn’t have worked – my boys together would have been loud, and even if they kept their “museum hands” to themselves I would have been embarrassed in front of the adult crowds. This outing taught me about taking the right child to the right event. For my little miss in her pink tutu, visiting Degas a New Vision at the NGV was very much the right event – if only we had timed our visit a little later when a musical performance was timed to occur at the exhibition it may have been righter.

My initial impression that the exhibition was only for adults was incorrect. The NGV is committed to opening the world of art to its young visitors – no only those attending their specifically child targeted exhibitions. “Degas – An art book for kids.” is on sale at the NGV store and takes children on a journey through Degas’ Paris, exploring his art-works on the way. The book is a great accompaniment to the Exhibition (for children over 5). There were also explanatory placards directed at children alongside Degas’ artwork. The downside of visiting the exhibition with a toddler was of course that I couldn’t stay longer.

This is a beautiful exhibition that with the right child/children creates a memorable family event.
Degas A New Vision is on display at NGV International until the 18th of September. It is open 10am-5pm on weekdays and from 9am on weekends. A family ticket for three adults and up to two children is $65.

Thanks to the NGV for our media passes and copy of “Degas – an art book for kids”.