Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
incorporating elements of surrealism and expressionism. Their property has since been
turned into the Heide Museum of Modern Art, which has an impressive collection of mod-
ern and contemporary Australian art exhibited in three galleries and scattered throughout
the tranquil gardens.
Other well-known Melbourne painters of the 20th century include French expatriate
Mirka Mora (b 1928), known for her colourful, bohemian paintings; she and her art-dealer
husband Georges (founder of Tolarno Galleries) were hugely influential upon both Mel-
bourne's art and cultural scenes. The late Howard Arkley (1955-99) is as Melbourne as
they come: his airbrush technique produced fluorescent pieces that pay homage to subur-
bia, as well as his well-known portrait of Melbourne-raised musician Nick Cave.
Contemporary Art
Between the commercial, public and artist-run galleries there is much to discover in Mel-
bourne's contemporary arts scene. A good place to tap in is Gertrude Contemporary Art
Space, which hosts exhibitions by emerging artists and fosters innovative and challenging
new works. The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) also hosts cutting-edge
programs of exhibitions as well as developing large-scale projects with Australian (and in-
ternational) artists. The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) exhibits film and
multimedia works by contemporary artists, and the Centre for Contemporary Photography
has a strong photo- and film-based program.
Street Art
With its growing reputation for street art, Melbourne's urban landscape is a beacon for
visitors from all around the world. Dozens of laneway walls provide an outdoor canvas for
paste-up, mural and stencil art.
Local street artists of note include ghostpatrol, miso, Tai Snaith and Ha-Ha (the latter
for
his
iconic Ned Kelly images - move aside, Sidney Nolan). Many of these locals are
represented in the documentaries
Rash
(2005) and the more recent
Children of the Iron
Snake
(2013), which get behind the scenes of Melbourne's street-art phenomenon.
Melbourne's scene was helped by the legacy of renowned international street artists
such as Keith Haring (1958-1990), the New York graffiti artist who visited in 1984. He
was commissioned to paint large-scale murals at NGV International and what was then
the Collingwood Technical School on Johnston St; the latter work still exists today (vis-
ible next door to the Tote music club).
