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  • Multi-coloured and detailed artwork of a large cat with tiny people on its back, tree branches sprouting from it, in a folk style.
  • Black and white photograph of a seated dog with a person sitting just behind it.
  • Pencil drawing of cats sleeping on cushions.
  • Distinctive Jeff Koons sculpture of a red balloon animal shaped like a dog.
Until 20 Jul

Cats & Dogs

  • Family and kids
  • Art

Cats & Dogs explores humanity’s deep connection to these animals through more than 250 works of art and design, from cattle dogs to lap dogs, divine felines to the black cats of superstition.

Drawn from the NGV Collection and spanning all periods and media, this exhibition reveals how our domesticated companions have long been a rich source of visual imagery – from ancient history to the present day.

The exhibition features works by contemporary and historical artists including Rembrandt van Rijn, Francisco de Goya, Pierre Bonnard, Eileen Mayo, David Hockney, Jeff Koons, Hulda Guzmán and more alongside celebrated Australian artists, including Claudia Moodoonuthi, Trevor Turbo Brown, Atong Atem, Charles Blackman, Grace Cossington Smith and Nora Heysen.

Presented thematically, the exhibition unpacks particular behaviours, cultural symbolism and art-historical motifs. These include: working dogs and cats; mythology; religion and spirituality; and cats and dogs in popular culture.

Hours

Date Times
Wed 2 Jul
  • 10am - 5pm 10:00am - 5:00pm
Thu 3 Jul
  • 10am - 5pm 10:00am - 5:00pm
Fri 4 Jul
  • 10am - 5pm 10:00am - 5:00pm
Sat 5 Jul
  • 10am - 5pm 10:00am - 5:00pm
Sun 6 Jul
  • 10am - 5pm 10:00am - 5:00pm
Mon 7 Jul
  • 10am - 5pm 10:00am - 5:00pm
Tue 8 Jul
  • 10am - 5pm 10:00am - 5:00pm
Wed 9 Jul
  • 10am - 5pm 10:00am - 5:00pm
Thu 10 Jul
  • 10am - 5pm 10:00am - 5:00pm
Fri 11 Jul
  • 10am - 5pm 10:00am - 5:00pm
Sat 12 Jul
  • 10am - 5pm 10:00am - 5:00pm
Sun 13 Jul
  • 10am - 5pm 10:00am - 5:00pm
Mon 14 Jul
  • 10am - 5pm 10:00am - 5:00pm
Tue 15 Jul
  • 10am - 5pm 10:00am - 5:00pm
Wed 16 Jul
  • 10am - 5pm 10:00am - 5:00pm
Thu 17 Jul
  • 10am - 5pm 10:00am - 5:00pm
Fri 18 Jul
  • 10am - 5pm 10:00am - 5:00pm
Sat 19 Jul
  • 10am - 5pm 10:00am - 5:00pm
Sun 20 Jul
  • 10am - 5pm 10:00am - 5:00pm

Location

The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
Russell St
Melbourne 3000

Open in maps location for The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia

Price and bookings

From $8 to $16

Adult / general $16
Student / concession $14
Children $8

Free for children under 5

Booking not required

Book online for Cats & Dogs

Contact details

  • telephone number: 03 8620 2222
  • email address: enquiries@ngv.vic.gov.au
  • Visit website for Cats & Dogs
Facebook page for Cats & Dogs Instagram page for Cats & Dogs

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The City of Melbourne respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we govern, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin and pays respect to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge and honour the unbroken spiritual, cultural and political connection they have maintained to this unique place for more than 2000 generations.

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