Come rain or shine

Drama-filled works of art and interactive displays showing the full spectrum of weather conditions are on display in Come rain or shine in the Children’s gallery at the National Gallery of Australia.

Working from the theme of weather this exhibition displays works showing unexpected and dramatic weather conditions. The histories and mediums of the works of on display vary, with a fearsome Pre-Columbian ceramic rain god greeting you at the entrance and ending with a video of a young skateboarder.

Designed for the 3–7 age range, children are encouraged to observe how artists convey storm, wind, rain, snow, rainbows and ice in paintings, sculptures and video. Interactive elements explore the sensations of sound, light and touch, enhancing the visual experience of these dramatic works of art.

Jenny Manning, educator and exhibition coordinator said, 'Come rain or shine is about weather; how artists paint, sculpt or draw weather conditions and how we should dress appropriately for rain, snow and sun. Each work of art has questions related to make children look, think, imagine and wonder'.

Come rain or shine includes many references to the paintings of weather conditions, from storm clouds to sunshine that children could observe when viewing Constable: impressions of land, sea and sky also showing at the National Gallery of Australia.