Bendigo Art Gallery and 20th Century Fox are building an 8m high sculpture of Marilyn Monroe as part of a new exhibition.
'Bendigo Art Gallery and Twentieth Century Fox present Marilyn Monroe’ will be the fourth instalment of the renowned Bendigo International Collections series.
Set to open in March 2016, the exhibition will celebrate of one of the world’s most recognised figures of the golden age of cinema.
It will follow the life of Monroe, from her early years as an aspiring actress to international stardom – and then her untimely death.
It promises to be one of the most comprehensive collections of costumes, photographs and personal items belonging to the Hollywood legend ever compiled.
The Seward Johnson-designed sculpture that captures Monroe in her classic pose from the 1955 Billy Wilder film, The Seven-Year Itch.
Other drawcards include her iconic William Travilla gown, worn for the Gentlemen Prefer Blondes portrait, and personal effects such as the actress’ address book and director’s chair.
In previous years, The Grace Kelly: Style Icon exhibition drew more than 152,000 visitors, smashing Australia’s regional gallery attendance records.
The exhibition will be worth approximately $11 million to the Greater Bendigo region.
Victorian premier, Daniel Andrew said there was no better place for this exhibition of a Hollywood icon than the great Bendigo Art Gallery.
“This is going to be a showstopper," he said.
"It will bring visitors in their thousands from all over Australia and the world, and will showcase Bendigo’s strengths as a leader for the big events.”