NGV sets the stage for children with Ragnar Kjartansson exhibition

Children are being invited to step into the world of theatre, performance and make-believe in a new free exhibition at NGV International.

Children’s Play: Ragnar Kjartansson for Kids is the world premiere of Icelandic artist Ragnar Kjartansson’s first exhibition created especially for children.

Now open and running until October 4, the exhibition invites young visitors and families to dress up, perform, build, draw and create their own theatrical scenes.

Taking inspiration from the lavish festivities of European courts during the Rococo period, and the later theatre tradition of “dinner and a show”, the exhibition features elaborate stage sets, props, costumes and interactive activities.

At the centre of the exhibition is a theatre with three hand-painted scenes: a cabin, a Rococo garden and a snowy forest. Children can choose to become actors, storytellers, audience members or creators, using bespoke costumes and props to bring each setting to life.

The exhibition also reflects Kjartansson’s own lifelong connection to theatre. The son of an actor and theatre director, he grew up surrounded by rehearsals, scripts and backstage activity, experiences that have shaped his love of performance, costumes, sets and play.

Food and celebration also feature strongly. Children can build their own cake sculptures using soft, colourful cushions, sit on a giant upholstered cake and take part in drawing activities inspired by theatrical feasts and still-life displays of cakes and food.

NGV director Tony Ellwood AM said the exhibition was designed to inspire creativity and confidence through theatre.

“Children will be able to explore, play and create both on the stage and as an audience, introducing young minds to the magnificent world of theatre,” he said.

Children’s Play: Ragnar Kjartansson for Kids coincides with the NGV’s major exhibition Ragnar Kjartansson: Mercy, which features new and recent video works by the artist.

Both exhibitions are on display at NGV International, St Kilda Rd, until October 4.