The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is renowned for curating world-class exhibitions that elevate public art appreciation in Australia. French Impressionism charts the rise of one of art history’s most influential movements, featuring more than 100 masterworks by Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, Édouard Manet, Mary Cassatt, Berthe Morisot, Paul Signac and Alfred Sisley. 

Drawn from the Museum of Fine Arts Boston’s world-renowned collection, the exhibition captures the bold innovation and radical experimentation that defined Impressionism and Post-Impressionism in late nineteenth-century France. Through vivid brushwork, colour and depictions of everyday life, these artists broke from convention to create something entirely new.

Presented across ten thematic sections, the exhibition not only showcases the visual hallmarks of the movement but also shares the thoughts, letters and observations of the artists themselves — offering a deeply personal and intellectual lens into the avant-garde spirit of the time.

A creative partnership rooted in local design

To support the NGV’s immersive vision, the gallery’s design team sought a bespoke flooring solution that would subtly reinforce the exhibition’s refined aesthetic. GH Commercial was engaged to provide custom-designed carpet, bringing both technical expertise and local manufacturing capabilities to the project.

The partnership began with a visit to GH Commercial’s Mill in Geelong, where the NGV team previewed our Designer Jet® technology — using precision dye injection, delivering intricate patterns and rich, saturated colours. The collaboration was built on shared values of craftsmanship, design integrity and Australian-made excellence.

The NGV’s concept drew from French Aubusson carpet styles, with their ornate floral motifs and deep hues — referencing both the period and the grand interiors of American collectors’ homes, where many of these works once hung. This historical inspiration, combined with the need for durability under high foot traffic, shaped the design direction.

Translating artistry into carpet

Led by our Product Development team and lead Designer Jet® designer Karoline Halloran, we worked closely with the NGV to develop custom designs tailored to the exhibition experience.

The process involved:

• Selecting colour poms to match the NGV’s references.
• Exploring multiple design and pattern options simultaneously.
•  Developing hand trial samples for review and refinement.
• Selecting a low pile construction to ensure pattern clarity under high foot traffic.

The result was a beautifully detailed custom carpet that elevated the gallery experience and seamlessly integrated with the NGV’s spatial design.

“Watching the NGV team witness their design come to life on the Designer Jet® loom was a highlight. Their excitement captured the spirit of our collaboration — it was a truly rewarding partnership,” says Karoline Halloran, Product Development, GH Commercial.

Supporting local manufacturing and design excellence

This collaboration highlights the value of locally-made solutions. With production facilities and design teams fully implemented across Australia and New Zealand and a workforce of over 1,000 skilled staff, GH Commercial delivers advanced, agile, and collaborative design and manufacturing solutions —  anchored in sustainability and regional expertise.

This content has been created with support from GH Commercial.

ArchitectureNow works with a range of partners in the A&D supply sector to create and/or source appropriate content for this website and Architecture NZ magazine.

If your brand or clients are interested in similar creative content email mark.lipman@agm.co.nz to enquire.