From intricate Lucknow embroidery to powerful contemporary installations, Indian voices and traditions will feature prominently at the 2026 NGV Triennial, opening 13 December at NGV International.
Among the highlights is a major new work by Indian artist Shilpa Gupta, alongside a richly detailed textile installation by Chinar Farooqui, which reimagines the grandeur of Mughal-era tents through the delicate craft of chikankari embroidery — a centuries-old technique rooted in Uttar Pradesh and historically sustained by women.
Spanning the entire NGV International, the Triennial brings together nearly 100 artists and collectives from 35 countries across more than 80 projects, including 25 world premieres and over 70 works entering the NGV Collection. The exhibition offers a sweeping snapshot of contemporary global culture — but with a distinct thread of Indian artistic presence woven through it.
Farooqui’s work draws directly from India’s cultural history, celebrating chikankari — the fine, white-on-white ‘shadow’ embroidery that emerged in Lucknow during the Mughal period. Stitched into sheer muslin, the work reflects the intimacy of domestic labour and the enduring legacy of women artisans in India.
In contrast, Shilpa Gupta’s Words come from ears brings a contemporary, conceptual edge. Using a railway-style flap board, the installation presents fragmented words and phrases — complete with errors and omissions — inviting viewers to mentally complete the text. The rhythmic flipping creates a layered soundscape, giving the work a distinct poetic voice.
Beyond India, the Triennial features a dynamic mix of global artists including Jenny Holzer, Sarah Sze, Mika Rottenberg, Pamela Rosenkranz and Wolfgang Tillmans, alongside leading Australian names such as Christian Thompson and Angelina Karadada Boona.
Opening with large-scale installations across the NGV Forecourt and Waterwall, the exhibition explores transformation in all its forms — cultural, technological, personal and political — offering new ways to see and understand the world.
Major highlights include a monumental sculpture by South Africa’s Zanele Muholi, a new photographic installation by Germany’s Wolfgang Tillmans, and a participatory, larger-than-life chess set by Melbourne artist Louise Paramor.
Launched in 2017, the NGV Triennial has quickly become one of the gallery’s biggest drawcards. The 2026 edition continues its tradition as a free, gallery-wide exhibition, following the massive success of previous editions that drew more than one million visitors.
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