of Time 2022 – 23 on display as part of the Melbourne Now exhibition at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Melbourne from 24 March – 20 August 2023. Image: Sean Fennessy
Melbourne is simply bursting with art galleries and exhibitions. Spend a day strolling along a gallery and admiring incredible artworks and installations. Some of these are blockbuster events, and some of these are free to check out. Whether you’re looking for something to do now, or for something to look forward to in the future, here are some exciting art exhibitions for you to discover in Melbourne.
Table Of Contents
- Current exhibitions
- Future exhibitions
Current exhibitions
1. Melbourne Now
When: Until August 20
Head over to The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia in Fed Square and see the work of over 200 Victorian-based artists, designers, studios and films. This exhibition highlights a range of contemporary disciplines across fashion, jewellery, painting, sculpture, architecture, ceramics, video, virtual reality, performance, photography, printmaking, product design and publishing. It captures the current cultural landscape of Melbourne and Victoria, with many of the artists presenting at NGV for the first time.
📍 Federation Square, Flinders St &, Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000
2. Monet & Friends
When: Until June 4
Visit The Lume and feel transported to bohemian Paris and countryside France with their dazzling digital exhibition, Monet & Friends. Lose yourself in a multisensory experience, with vibrant projections and sounds immersing you in the mesmerising world of French Impressionism. Take a picture on Monet’s Bridge over a Pond, dance with Degas’ ballerinas, plunge yourself into a world of waterlilies, and much, much more.
📍5 Convention Centre Pl, South Wharf VIC 3006
3. Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion
When: Until October 1
Head to ACMI and celebrate trailblazing women on screen in this Winter Masterpieces exhibition. Journey through over 120 years of movie history, and see over 150 original objects, artworks, props and sketches on display. There’s also plenty of costumes to see, as well as immersive video works and evocative soundscapes. On select days, there’s also curator tours, special film programming, and even live music events.
📍 Federation Square, Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000
4. The Giant Miniature Art Exhibition
When: Until July 23
Marvel at hundreds of miniature works inside the Ballroom of Como House and Garden in South Yarra. In this art exhibition just outside of Melbourne, you’ll gaze at over 800 miniature works from over 215 artists around the world. Each delicate piece is roughly the size of a postage stamp, and they’re all available for purchase. Proceeds will go towards the National Trust of Australia (Victoria). The exhibition is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, and entry is free.
📍The Ballroom of Como House, Williams Rd &, Lechlade Ave, South Yarra VIC 3141
5. Catherine Opie: Binding Ties
When: Until July 9
Visit Heide Museum of Modern Art and check out the first survey exhibition in Australia of celebrated American photographer, Catherine Opie. This exhibition showcases over 50 key works from the past three decades, exploring and challenging our ideas of personal and political affiliation. These pieces tackle gender, sexuality, the environment and more. They discuss the ways that thinking as an individual are overshadowed by the increasing need to identify as a collective group in order to take action in a rapidly changing world.
📍7 Templestowe Rd, Bulleen VIC 3105
6. TarraWarra Biennial 2023: ua usiusi faʻavaʻasavili
When: Until July 16
The TarraWarra Biennial first began in 2006, and is one of the most anticipated contemporary art exhibitions in Australian art circles. This year, the exhibition is titled, ‘ua usiusi faʻavaʻasavili’, a Samoan proverb which means, ‘the canoe obeys the wind’. See newly commissioned works by 15 artsts and artist groups focused on the interconnectedness of the peoples of Australia, Asia and the Great Ocean. Find it at the TarraWarra Museum of Art in the Yarra Valley.
📍 313 Healesville-Yarra Glen Rd, Healesville VIC 3777
7. Second Skin — Essence of Country
When: Until July 9
In this free exhibition at the Koorie Heritage Trust, you’ll learn a story of the resilience of Victorian First Peoples, Country and culture. Second Skin – Essence of Country celebrates the history and use of animal pelts to create cultural belongings and works of art. It explores the deep cultural significance of these items, and the connections that they enable.
📍Koorie Heritage Trust, Federation Square, Flinders St &, Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
8. The Rest Is Up To You
When: Until July 7
This free exhibition is open daily in the Keith Murdoch Gallery of State Library Victoria. This immersive exhibition and performance space will take you through the past, present and future of Melbourne Fringe Festival. Celebrate over 40 years of experiences, and feel captivated by sound and video installations. Explore archives filled with artworks, posters, flyers and more, then dream about what the future will hold.
📍328 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
9. Break the Binaries
When: Until June 17
Push the boundaries of society at Break the Binaries, an exhibition at Science Gallery Melbourne. Find a playful view of identity and genders, as well as their relationship with science, technology, culture, race, sexuality and creativity. This exhibition features video, sound, sculpture and multimedia from a range of local and international artists.
📍114 Grattan St, Parkville VIC 3052
10. Conflated
When: Until June 9
Conflated is a touring exhibition by NETS Victoria. It brings artists together to explore bodies, environments and cultures through contemporary art. In this art exhibition, the cycle of breathing serves as a framework for us to examine a vast array of experiences, behaviours and expressions. Explore this idea through participatory works, audio, video and more. Find it at Deakin University Art Gallery.
📍Building FA, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood VIC 3125
11. Kate Just, Nell and Abdul-Rahman Abdullah
When: Until June 4
Linden New Art is currently showing three exhibitions by renowned artists. In Kate Just: Self Care Action Series, you’ll explore social justice and feminist art practice by Kate Just. In Old New Wave, you’ll see three works by Sydney-based artist Nell. You’ll also see three works in Journeys by Abdul-Rahman Abdullah.
📍26 Acland St, St Kilda VIC 3182
Future exhibitions
1. Pre-Raphaelites: Drawings & Watercolours and In the company of Morris
When: May 20 to August 6
While it may not be in Melbourne, these art exhibitions in Ballarat are certainly worth checking out. The Pre-Raphaelites exhibition is an Australian-first, and features drawings and watercolours that haven’t been seen widely. All the way from the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, you’ll see 19th century works from the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. While you’re there, see the exhibition, In the company of Morris, which showcases historical and contemporary Australian artworks. These pieces demonstrate the influence of the Pre-Raphaelites. Find both of these exhibitions at the Art Gallery of Ballarat.
📍 40 Lydiard St N, Ballarat Central VIC 3350
2. nightshifts
When: May 26 to October 29
This large-scale free exhibition at Buxton Contemporary will consider the importance of solitude through contemporary arts practice. It will feature over 30 works from the University of Melbourne’s art collection, alongside loans and new commissions. nightshifts will explore the ways that rest, privacy and seclusion can lead to reflection, focus and creativity.
📍Buxton Contemporary, the University of Melbourne, Cnr Southbank Boulevard & Dodds Street Southbank, VIC 3006
3. Rembrandt: True to Life
When: June 2 to September 10
The most comprehensive exhibition of Rembrandt is coming to Australia in more than 25 years. This prolific artist from the Dutch Golden Age is known for his paintings and self-portraits. However, he was also an innovative printmaker. Explore his career over four decades at the Rembrandt: True to Life exhibition at NGV International.
📍180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3006
4. Euphoria
When: June 2 to 18
As part of RISING, Melbourne Town Hall will transform into a spiralling vortex of screens. This festival exclusive by Berlin-based artist and filmmaker Julian Rosefeld features dazzling 360-degree visuals, Cate Blanchett, and an original score by Canadian composer Samy Moussa and British saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi.
📍90/130 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
5. Shadow Spirit
When: June 7 to 18, June 21 to July 30
Venture to the abandoned upper level of Flinders Street Station and explore a new dimension of First Nations art at Shadow Spirit. Traverse time and Ancestral spirit worlds, reflect on the shadows of Australia’s history and immerse yourself in deep systems of knowledge. See the work of 30 First Peoples artists and collective from across the country.
📍Flinders Street Station, Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000
6. Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi
When: June 9 to October 8
NGV is partnering with France’s Musée d’Orsay to present their Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition. The late 19th and early 20th century will come to life through drawings, paintings, prints, photos and decorative objects by Pierre Bonnard. Bonnard was celebrated for his use of colour to convey emotions. Alongside his works, immerse yourself in contemporary scenography by award-winning architect and designer, India Mahdavi.
📍180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3006
7. NGV Triennial
When: From December 3
After delighting us in 2017 and 2020, NGV Triennial is coming back to Melbourne for its third iteration. This incredible exhibition will take over all floors of NGV International, showcasing works by 100 artists, designers and collectives from 30 countries, including Yoko Ono, David Shrigley and fashion label Schiaparelli. Get ready for painting, sculpture, robotics, fashion, multimedia and interactive art installations, and marvel at over 25 world-premiere projects commissioned by the NGV.
📍180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3006