Melbourne Places » Artists studios

Street Art at the Windsor end of Chapel Street.

Melbourne — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 22:13:52 +0000

Brighten up a grey winter morning and take in the Graf Art as you stroll along Chapel Street, Windsor. Of course it doesn’t have to be the morning, anytime during the day will do. But the in-your-face colours gives a me lift on a grey morning.

The corner of McIlwrick and Chapel Streets (at Tarlo and Graham)

Most of the art is just around the corner off Chapel Street where there are big flat walls to the sides of the shops.

A lane way off Duke Street 5 meters from Chapel Street

On a cold winter morning it is a flash of colour to lift the spirits. Take a look next time you are in Windsor – that is the strip of Chapel Street from the Windsor Railway Station to High Street.

As seen from Chapel Street

It is hard to know what to call this art. I have heard it called Graf Art, Street Art, Urban Art and I rather like the idea of it being Public Art; that is art that is available for us see as we go about our daily business. We have the chance to admire, criticize, discuss it and ignore it as we walk on by.

Corner of Union Street and Chapel Street.

My only wish is that it could be changed more often – like a shop window. However vivid the piece, you stop seeing it after a while and it becomes part of the background. I want to be startled out of my morning-fog with something new.

There is also this in the way of public art. Check here I always enjoy this on my way to the South Melbourne Market.

Getting there:-
Windsor end of Chapel Street

Tram
78 runs from St Kilda along Chapel Street into Church Street and then to Richmond.
6 from CBD to Glen Iris runs along High Street cross Chapel Street.

Trains
Sandringham Line to Windsor Station

Fitzroy Nursery – Artist’s Gardens on Brunswick Street. Fitzroy

Melbourne — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 06:53:36 +0000

Brunswick Street, Fitzroy can be hot on summer days. But even the hot pavements don’t keep us away. We still flock there to meet, drink coffee, eat, shop and so on. I often browse in the weekends and when I wish for a cool breeze or just time out from the hurly-burly of the street I head to the Fitzroy Nursery on the corner of Brunswick Street and Leicester Street .

This is favourite Melbourne Place of mine to relax, unwind, cool down and drift. I love the atmosphere, the sound of running water and all the large leafy plants. I have mentioned these gardens in a previous post here .

On a recent visit I was introduced to some new and different metal sculptures. As I listened to the sound of trickling water and stood under the shade of some large, leafy shrubs and trees I admired these iron sculptured animals.

Grant the Goat

Blind Mouse

The metal animals seen in my previous post are made from recycled corrugated iron and created in New Zealand. They have moved to new homes and these have taken their place.

This is Clara the Cow leading the bunch along Brunswick Street

They are made in Vietnam from recycled and scrap metal. I understand that they are made in a community workshop with the money going back into the community. Check them out – you can do this by walking past. They are so creative. I can’t decided whether the colours are the original colours painted on the metal or whether there has been a bit of touch up. If you look carefully you can see parts of old brand names. I’m fascinated by their eyes. I have been trying to work out what those metal circles were used for in their previous life. Someone may know.

Where:-
Fitzroy Nursery – Artist’s Gardens
390 Brunswick Street
Fitzroy

Opening hours:-
9.00am to 5.30pm weeksdays
9.30am to 5.30pm Weekends and Public Holidays

They change their hours slightly in the winter – may be worth checking.

Phone 9417 3272

Getting there:-
Tram 112

Sticky Institute for zines, creativity and the rumble of trains

Melbourne — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 22:21:35 +0000

The Sticky Institute was a great Melbourne Place to find. I came across it one day when I was hurrying through the underpass from Degraves Street to Flinders Street Station. I ducked into the subway under Flinders Street to speed up the journey and came face to face with the sign. I pulled up short, stared and trotted in and was so absorbed I missed my train.

I hadn’t heard of a zine before. It is pronounced ‘zeen’ and is a small, self published magazine with a small circulation and is usually reproduced by photocopier.

You can make your zine at the Sticky Institute. I haven’t made a zine yet but I enjoy browsing though the dozens on display and always buy one or two. For a couple of dollars, and that is all they are, you can share someone thoughts and get a peep into their world. The zines come in all shapes and sizes and they are a personal publication straight from the author’s mouth as it were – there is no editorial input. The ideas, the style of presentation, the layout and illustrations are the authors. Zines give complete freedom of expression and allow anyone to express themselves.

This is called ‘Mixed up Files of an Unusual Teenager’s Brain’ and made at the Sticky Institute. It comes with a badge which was also made at the Institute.

This is an American zine ‘Love Letters to Monsters #2′ and sold here in Melbourne.

Zines can be any size or shape you like. This is locally made zine is called ‘ The Day of the School Bag.’

Anyone can use the The Sticky Institute’s shop/workshop to make their zine or badge. You can also spend as long as you like browsing and reading and when you feel the creative urge talk to the staff. They are mostly volunteers and of course love the world of zines.

The most you pay for a zine is $5.00 but many are just $1 or $2.

The Sticky institute is alive with creative energy and music. This is often intensified by the rumble of a passing train, just to let you know you are underground.

The shop/work space has been around since 2001 so it definitely works as a creative space . On the shelves you can find zines from all around Australia and the world.

Getting there:-
Shop 10 Campbell Arcade
Degraves Street
Melbourne Phone 9654 9559

If you are getting off the train use the center stairs and find the exit to Flinders Street.

If you are on Flinders Street duck down the subway, opposite the side entrance to the Flinders Street station, at the end of Degraves Lane – there are two entrances.

Opening Hours:-
Monday to Friday
12.00 (noon) to 6.00pm
Saturday 12.00(noon) to 5.00pm
Sunday closed
CAMPBELL ARCADE IS CLOSED ON SUNDAY.

Find out more about the Sticky Institute from their web site here

Ron Mueck’s Sculptures at the NGV – a confronting and haunting experience.

Melbourne — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:18:53 +0000

Be startled, amazed, awed, moved or just plain gob-smacked. This is an extra-ordinary exhibition. Viewing twelve pieces of Ron Mueck’s work at one time leaves a lasting impact.

The pieces are either over sized or under sized. For example there is the ‘Old Woman in Bed’.

A perfect representation of an old lady asleep – a tiny form curled up under a blanket. It is poignant and touching at the first glance. Then when you stand and look at it for longer it becomes quite heart breaking in all it says about ageing. This is my favourite piece in the exhibition.

Most of the sculptures in the exhibition are of naked figures but one of the few clothed is ‘ Two women’

Even the details of the clothes add to the overall effect. Take a look at the hem on the brown coat. The wrinkles and expressions on their faces draw you in. You want to hear what they are gossiping about.

You enter the exhibition and meet Dead Dad. A small naked figure of an old man with his eyes closed. An endearing look at death- it is peaceful. The first real shock is ‘ The Girl’, one of the super sized pieces; a baby girl immediately after birth complete with the umbilical cord and streaks of blood.

I read on the internet that Mueck was inspired to make her so large because he had recently had a new baby and the baby took on this huge presence in the house.

This information was not supplied by the NGV. No information in given on the background to the sculptures. The idea being, I imagine, that you take from each piece what you can or what you need to. Sometimes this lack of information doesn’t matter because the subject immediately speaks to us as with the old ladies. But I couldn’t get anything from a naked girl carrying a bundle of sticks.

I believe the curator would have greatly added to our appreciation by giving some background notes to each piece.

The information that is supplied is a list of materials used to make the sculpture, for example ‘Old Woman in Bed’ was made from resin, fibreglass, silicone, polyurethane, synthetic hair, cotton, polyester. These materials with slight variations were used for all of them.

The details on the sculptures are extraordinary – every pore, each hair, veins, blood, wrinkles – even to the wrinkles on the baby’s feet and the legs hairs on the ‘Wild Man’, everyone one of which appears to have been put in individually.

Go to the exhibition if you get a chance. It is fascinating but my suggestion is to read up on Ron Mueck and get some background on his work before you go.

After you have seen the exhibition the obvious question is how does he make them. This article by Brian Kennedy, who visited Mueck’s studio in London, describes the process.

Getting There:-

National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is at 180 St Kilda Road, just across the Yarra River from Federation Square

Open Times:-

The exhibition runs from 22nd January to 18th of April 2010 in Melbourne.

The gallery is open every day from 10.00am to 5.00pm except for Tuesday when it is CLOSED

Prices:-

Adult $15.00 Concession $12.00

It opens at the Queensland Art Gallery on 8th May to 8th August 2010

Antarctica on display in the Foyer of Gasworks Park Theatre – Albert Park

Melbourne — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:32:57 +0000

This photo of penguins in Antarctic by Lisa Davidson is on display in the Foyer of the Gasworks Theatre, Albert Park.

There are two galleries in the Gasworks Theatre. The foyer of the theatre is used for exhibitions and then there is the Angela Robarts-Bird Gallery.

The exhibitions in the foyer rotate regularly usually about every two weeks so it is easy to miss something on the other hand there is always something new to see. The ones in the Robarts-Bird Gallery often last longer. The exhibition at the moment is called Nordic Ecolog, interesting but not as striking as Lisa Davidson’s photos.

Lisa Davidson’s photos were taken on a recent trip to the Antarctic. She traveled there with her mother after her father died of cancer to honour his memory. He had worked as an engineer in that frozen continent in 1970.

The photos fill the theater foyer and are wonderful; evocative of the area and reflect a certain magic which must have been part of the photographer’s experience.

The photos are framed and can be bought framed or unframed with the proceeds going to the cancer foundation.

I particularly liked the way some of them are framed – those I have displayed. The weathered wood some stained and some natural enhances the natural beauty of that untamed environment.

Lisa Davidson has a charming business card featuring a seal – lisadavidson82@gmail.com is a contact for her.

Opening hours 9am to 5pm daily

For gallery contact – Sarah Rainbird
Visual Arts Manager
t: 03 8606 4206
e: sarah@gasworks.org.au

Getting there:

The Number 1 Tram, going to South Melbourne Beach. Get off at the corner of Richardson Street and Victoria Ave, that’s at the Avenue Cafe. Face the beach and walk to your right along Richardson and you’ll be at Gasworks Park in a couple of minutes. To get to the gallery you need to walk to the otherside of the park that is on Graham Street.

Graham Street runs through from Victoria Avenue but only for foot traffic – if you are driving you have to use Pickles or Richardson Street

Beautiful glass at the Kirra Galleries Federation Square CBD

Melbourne — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:10:51 +0000

Every month or so I drop into the Kirra Galleries in the Atrium of Federation Square to catch their latest exhibition.

This gallery is full of wonderful and magical glass. It specializes in Australian Glass and we’re not talking wine bottles and chunky water glasses, we’re talking delicate and whimsical designs made from hot glass by glass artists. When you look at these works of art it is hard to believe that these artists use the same material that makes that empty vodka or wine bottle you chuck into the bin.

The exhibition at the Kira Gallery at the moment is the work of Nick Mount one of Australia’s leading glass artists. It runs until the 16th of August when it will be replaced with another exhibition of amazing glass sculptures. The Kirra Galleries are all about glass.

These photos were taken from the Atrium looking into the gallery. They give an idea but you need to see each piece individually. There is a ‘no photographs’ sign at the entrance to the gallery and felt I should respect that.

Since I found this gallery I have come to love their exhibitions. The glass can be so mesmerizing. Its beauty and fragility feeds my senses. I need to keep getting the fix.

Nick Mount’s work is an example of what I’m talking about. It is breathtaking with clear vivid colours. But there’s no magic in the titles. They’re named rather prosaically. The big red one in the front window is called ‘Scent Bottle Combination Piece’ and it has a number because there are many pieces with the same name.

This one, my favourite, is called ‘Bob in the Landscape’. Such a dull name for something so beautiful. I have gone back to look at this piece a couple of times and I would love to know who buys it and where it is going to hang. I thought of a large vestibule but it would need to be high up or you would have people wanting to touch it and fiddle with it……I thought of my place, there is no harm dreaming but there isn’t a spot that comes to mind that would show it off. Where do you hang these beauties other than a gallery?

The gallery has a shop next door selling smaller glass items. Creations that you would find a place for in the home. I have bought several presents here. You don’t have to spend a lot to get something unique. For example there are some charming glass earrings.

Getting there:

The Atrium in Federation Square opens off Flinders Street. This is the easiest way to access it but you can enter from the main square.

Kirra Galleries opens from 10am to 6pm every day. Check out their web site here

Fitzroy Nursery – Garden Oasis in Fitzroy

Melbourne — Mon, 25 May 2009 22:37:09 +0000

Brunswick Street on a busy Saturday afternoon and you’re shopping until you drop.

Give yourself a break – feed your soul for a moment? Duck into the Fitzroy Nursery – The Artists Gardens at 390 Brunswick Street.

Listen to the fountains playing, gaze at the lush plants, take in the garden art and find a spot to linger. It’s a haven from the vibrant life on the street and the art is fun.

The garden art on display is sourced locally but some comes from further a field. The animal sculptures are from New Zealand. They’re made of all-weather re-cycled corrugated iron.

If you come from the land of The Long White Cloud you may want to add one of these to your household. They all have their own unique personality and there is nothing like a touch of nostalgia for corrugated iron.

Fitzroy Nursery is at 390 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. Take the no 112 Tram from the CBD.

If you are coming from St Kilda stay on the 96 tram and get off along Nicholson Street at Rose Street and wander along Rose Street to Brunswick Street.

Gasworks Art Park, Port Melbourne

Melbourne — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:33:20 +0000

Local Authorities do get it right, sometimes!

They have with Gasworks Park in South Melbourne/Albert Park. It was once the old South Melbourne Gasworks that was decommissioned. In 1992 it became Gasworks Arts Park. This includes a theatre.

The Arts in the title is significant. Art works are on show throughout the park and some of the old buildings from the gas era are used for artists’ studios. Resident Artists can be seen at work by the public.

The locals love the park and they use it. It is dog friendly and even on the coldest day people are around with children and dogs. They can grab a coffee and food at the park’s Café.

Check out the artistic touch to the reminder- notice about picking after your dog. It is just a pity it is hidden away by the sculpture studio where most dogs and owners will miss it.

Large pieces of sculpture can be seen outside the studio.

Take the Number 1 Tram, going to South Melbourne Beach. Get off at the corner of Richardson Street and Victoria Ave, right by the Avenue Cafe. Face the beach and walk to your right along Richardson and you’ll be there in a couple of minutes.