This winter, NGV is full of excitement. Just a week ago, the Rembrandt exhibition, hailed as the most comprehensive in Australia in 25 years, opened its doors. Now, the joint exhibition of Pierre Bonnard and India Mahdavi follows closely. The latter is the NGV’s Winter Master Exhibition for this year!
Pierre Bonnard
Pierre Bonnard, a renowned French painter and printmaker, is known for his bold colours and dreamlike style. He is considered both a forward-thinking post-impressionist painter and one of the leading figures in the transition from impressionism to modernism.
Although he also depicted landscapes, cities, and everyday life with personal and family themes like his neighbour Rembrandt, his artistic style is distinctly different, focusing on a more abstract brushstroke and play of light and shadow.
Artworks
Bonnard’s artworks are characterised by bright colours and vivid contrasts. He regarded painting as an “adventure for the optic nerve” and, along with the avant-garde post-impressionist movement he represented, known as the “Nabis,” he emphasised colour and simplified forms. He enjoyed depicting dreams and memories in his work, and his style was also influenced by the Japanese ukiyo-e prints of Katsushika Hokusai.
Exhibition theme
The entire exhibition is divided into nine main themes: “Everyday Theatre,” observing during early walks; co-founding the “Nabis” movement with other artists; participation in music, theatre, and early photography; stylistic transformations during the “decorative painting” period; creative inspiration from his intimate relationship with his partner Marthe; still-life paintings indoors; “composite landscapes” formed by indoor scenes and the natural scenery beyond doors and windows; natural landscapes of the countryside and seascape; and landscape paintings from his later years in the south of France.
To better present Pierre Bonnard’s artistic style, NGV invited Iñaki Ábalos, an Iranian-French architect and designer based in Paris, to curate the exhibition. As one of the world’s most influential architects, Ábalos’ unique approach to color and texture, vibrant color palettes, and dreamlike spatial designs align perfectly with Bonnard’s work. Interestingly, Ábalos’ studio, founded in 2000, is only a few hundred meters away from the Musée d’Orsay, which houses the largest collection of Bonnard’s artworks.
The uniquely shaped and elaborately patterned chairs, sofas, tables, and carpets throughout the exhibition hall are all created by Mahdavi, drawing inspiration from elements found in Bonnard’s paintings. The large, highly saturated walls blend seamlessly with Bonnard’s style, creating a sense of immersion for visitors, as if the inside and outside of the paintings are part of the same dreamlike world.
These furniture pieces and wall designs are perfect for photo opportunities, greatly enhancing the interactivity and enjoyment of the exhibition. Clever perforated designs form framed views of different spaces, providing photographers with new compositional creativity. While taking photos, visitors can also fully experience the romantic and dreamlike style of this French artist.
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