Discovered in China's Shaanxi province in 1974, the Qin Emperor's Terracotta Warriors, are regarded as one of the greatest archaeological finds of the twentieth century and a few of them will be visiting the National Gallery of Victoria.
The 2019 Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series presents
Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality from 24 May 2019 to 13 October 2019, alongside a display of new work entitled,
The Transient Landscape by the artist, Cai Guo-Qiang.
The presentation will feature more than 150 pieces from the Qin dynasty (221 – 207 BCE), including eight terracotta warriors. These historic Chinese treasures will travel with two full-sized horses and two replica bronze chariots.
Armored official Qin Dynasty
Other pieces from leading museums and archaeological sites, including priceless gold, jade and bronze artefacts dating from the Zhou dynasty (1050 – 256 BCE) through to the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE) will also be on display.
Soldier on horseback Western Han Dynasty
Contemporary artist, Cai Guo-Qiang's work has been inspired by his country's culture and enduring philosophical traditions.
Cai Guo-Qiang: The Transient Landscape, presents a stark contrast to the relics of the past and yet provides a breathtaking part of the exhibition.
His work, an installation of 10,000 suspended porcelain birds, is a three-dimensional impression of a calligraphic drawing of the sacred Mount Li, the site of the ancient tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shihuang, and his warriors. Spiralling above visitors heads, the birds create a breathtaking immersive environment for both his work and the treasures below.
Left - Unarmored officer Qin Dynasty. Right Cai Guo-Qiang
Terracotta Warriors and Cai Guo-Qiang Exhibition tickets can be purchased
online and are priced as follows:
Adult $30.00
Concession $25.00
Child (5–15 years) $10.00
Family (2 adults 3 children) $65.00
Please note that general admission exhibition tickets do not permit entry into NGV Friday Nights and a $4.50 transaction fee applies.
NGV members receive a 20% discount off tickets. If you're interested in joining the NGV, click
here.
This exhibition is organised by the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, in partnership with Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau (陕西省文物局), Shaanxi History Museum (陕西历史博物馆), Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Centre (陕西省文物交流中心), and Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum of the People's Republic of China (秦始皇帝陵博物院).
