Stencil art, cheeky photography, indigenous masters and artisan chic – make a Melbourne winter welcome with an art gallery crawl.
Ever since Fred McCubbin and Tom Roberts set up their easels in the 19th-century bush at Box Hill, Melbourne has been the axis of Australia’s art world. The birthplace of Australian impressionism has evolved into a city where art is integral to its fabric and where any spare surface can be a blank canvas. Little wonder it’s now renowned for kaleidoscopic stencil art – British artist Banksy calls Melbourne “the continent’s hothouse of creativity and wilful individualism”. There is even an annual festival celebrating creativity on the streets (website).
The city’s landmark public art programs funnel millions of dollars into permanent and temporary commissions each year, ensuring visitors are constantly inspired by new works. Wander the CBD alleyways to discover evolving installations, or visit the packed gallery precinct of Flinders Lane, where offerings embrace ancient Aboriginal traditions and contemporary urban trends. Outside the city there are clusters of commercial and artist-run galleries in the suburbs of Fitzroy, Richmond and Prahran. Or take a trip to the former artists’ colony of Heide (website) and see where Sidney Nolan, Joy Hester and Albert Tucker found their inspiration. Here are 10 Melbourne spaces guaranteed to whet the artistic appetite.
Albert Street galleries
Richmond.
View images
The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
Federation Square.
+61 3 8620 2222.
Third Drawer Down
93 George Street, Fitzroy.
+61 3 9534 4088.
View images
Helen Gory Galerie
25 St Edmonds Road, Prahran.
+61 3 9525 2808.
View images
RMIT Gallery
344 Swanston Street, Melbourne.
+61 3 9925 1717.
Australian Centre For Contemporary Art
111 Sturt Street, Southbank.
+61 3 9697 9999.
Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi
Level 3, 75-77 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.
+61 3 9654 2944.
TarraWarra Museum of Art
311 Healesville-Yarra Glen Road, Healesville.
+61 3 5957 3100.
State Library Of Victoria
328 Swanston Street, Melbourne.
+61 3 8664 7000.
View images
Centre For Contemporary Photography
404 George Street, Fitzroy.
+61 3 9417 1549.
View images
Source: Qantas The Australian Way July 2009