NGV Triennial unveils works from Trump tweets to penguins

The National Gallery of Victoria's 2026 Triennial in Melbourne runs from 13 December 2026 to 11 April 2027 and presents more than 100 works by nearly 100 artists from 35 countries, including Jenny Holzer's LED piece showing tweets and a helium penguin installation.

The National Gallery of Victoria is staging its 2026 Triennial in Melbourne, an expansive contemporary art exhibition that opens in December and runs for several months. The free show brings together nearly 100 artists from 35 countries and more than 100 works that probe themes such as truth, digital culture, artificial intelligence and community. Among the featured pieces is Jenny Holzer's LED work titled WTF, which displays tweets by Donald Trump and posts associated with QAnon and moves unpredictably above the gallery. The program includes installations, large-scale sculpture, performance and participatory works that engage both political and personal histories. Key details: - Dates and access: The Triennial runs from 13 December 2026 to 11 April 2027 and is free to the public. - Notable works: Jenny Holzer's LED sign titled WTF is included; the show also features a crowd of helium penguin balloons by Benedikte Bjerre. - Performance and participation: Melbourne artist Louise Paramor will present a human-sized chess set for visitors to interact with in the Great Hall, and Maria Madeira will present a live performance titled Kiss and Don't Tell. - Works addressing truth and image: Avery Singer will present Deepfake Stan, a digitally composed portrait displayed within a reconstructed office setting, alongside other works that probe perception and digital culture. - Cultural and community themes: Installations include a giant Wandjina figure for the Waterwall entrance by Angelina Karadada Boona and an eight-metre textile by Kresiah Mukwazhi made from reused garments. - Monumental commissions: Large pieces include a 15-metre painting by Juan Ford, a large pink tree by Pamela Rosenkranz, a 3.3-metre sculpture of Zanele Muholi, and a limestone work by Najla El Zein carved in Beirut and commissioned for public gatherings. Summary: The 2026 NGV Triennial assembles a wide range of contemporary practices that reflect on authority, memory, environment and community. The scale and variety of works mean the exhibition will unfold over months and across gallery spaces, with the public run scheduled from 13 December 2026 to 11 April 2027.