Children's Play: Ragnar Kjartansson

Children’s Play

Ragnar Kjartansson

NGV International

Ground Level, Children’s Gallery

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26 Jun – 4 Oct 26, free entry

Open daily 10am–5pm

Hey kids! The stage is yours!

For this exhibition, you’re invited into a world inspired by a theatrical feast – a tradition that began in the Middle Ages and evolved through Rococo European courts into today’s idea of ‘dinner and a show.’ Here, you can create your own version of a feast.

Be an actor, storyteller, or creator. Wander through the exhibition, draw what you see, sketch real or imagined foods, and build playful dessert sculptures using colourful cushions. Stack them, shape them and let them topple over!

This is an exhibition for all ages, celebrating play, performance, drawing and theatre, encouraging creativity and free expression.

NGV Kids

Activities

My Sketchbook

When Ragnar looks at the world, he tries to see it like a poem. People, nature, shapes, lines and colours come together on paper. By drawing what’s in front of him, Ragnar notices small details and captures moments and feelings. Now it’s your turn! Collect a sketch book and find out what catches your eye.
The stage is yours!

Pick a costume, set, and props, and become a character. Like Ragnar imagining the past, invent your own adventure. Where would you go, who would you be if you could live in another time or place?

Cake sculptures

Young children can play at baking by stacking large, colourful cushions to create their own giant cake. Little bakers can mix, match, and build cake sculptures in any colour combination they like. This hands-on activity is all about imaginative play and having fun!

About the Artist

Ragnar Kjartansson (1976–, Reykjavík) is a leading contemporary artist who creates playful and imaginative artworks using music, performance and storytelling. He loves to combine ideas from films, books and pop songs to create works that can be funny, insightful and sometimes a bit emotional too.

Ragnar lives and works in Reykjavík, Iceland, and his art has been shown in museums all around the world, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Barbican Centre, London; and Palais de Tokyo, Paris. He represented his country, Iceland, at the 2009 Venice Biennale, where artists from different countries show their work.

Access

Sensory Guide & Map

This guide and map use photography and room descriptions to help you prepare for your visit.

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Facilities for Families

Find information on family-friendly facilities to help plan your visit plus tips for experiencing art and the Gallery with young children.

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Relaxed Sessions

Relaxed Sessions are an opportunity for visitors who could benefit from a quieter Gallery experience to access NGV exhibitions with fewer people and reduced sensory stimuli.

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