John Packham<br/> <em>Petin - to abduct, steal</em> 1999 <!-- (recto) --><br /> synthetic polymer paint on canvas<br /> 117.7 x 175.5 cm<br /> National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne<br /> Purchased, 1999<br /> 1999.332<br /> © John Packham <!--66272-->
John Packham
Petin - to abduct, steal 1999
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
117.7 x 175.5 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, 1999
1999.332
© John Packham

VCE ART CREATIVE PRACTICE: Interpretive Lenses | MOTHER: Stories from the NGV Collection
Levels VCE

Mon–Fri, 10am, 11.30am, 1pm & 2.30pm
NGV Australia

Dive into one of the most enduring and universal themes in the history of art: the portrayal of mother and child. MOTHER: Stories from the NGV Collection explores how artists – from ancient times to today – have captured the complexities of maternal experience. Using the Structural, Personal and Cultural Lenses, students analyse how artists explore identity, lived experience and culture. Featuring historical and contemporary Australian, First Nations and international artists, this program supports students to apply the Interpretive Lenses through the study of diverse perspectives.

Students will:

  • Explore how artists represent motherhood, identity, emotion and cultural meaning across time and cultures..
  • Use the Structural, Personal and Cultural lenses to analyse ideas, stories and messages in selected works from MOTHER: Stories from the NGV Collection.
  • Investigate how artists communicate meaning to audiences through different forms and practices.

Duration: 1 hour
Cost: $11 per student

We require four weeks notice for all bookings.

Changes to your booking must be made in writing. Changes can be made up to 14 days prior to your visit. Invoices will be sent prior to the visit. Full program fees will be incurred for late cancellations or amendments.

Please note that this is a booking request only. Please also note that due to the high volume of booking requests we have been receiving, we are currently taking longer than usual to respond to each request. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

School details

Group details

If less than 10 students attend a program, minimum fees may apply
My group may include students who:

Program Selection

Are you booking another program on this date?
Please provide details of any relevant themes and skills your students are learning about at school. While we cannot offer individually tailored programs, our museum educators will consider this information when selecting and discussing works of art during the program.

Date Selection

We recommend you provide three date options for your program to avoid disappointment. We will do our best to accommodate your first preference, however due to high demand this may not always be possible.

Terms and Conditions

We do not take tentative bookings. Bookings are considered firm at time of booking. Any amendments, including changes to participant numbers, must be made by email at least 14 days prior to the program. Invoices will be sent prior to the visit. Full program fees will be incurred for late cancellations or amendments. Payment must be paid at least one week prior to the visit.

Terms & conditions