Looking into a country’s art has always been and, let’s be honest, probably always will be one of the greatest windows into the soul of a nation. The perfect way to look back through its history (there’s certainly a lot of that Down Under) and a compelling insight into its contemporary and changing cultures.
From the ancient Aboriginal rock art dating back over 40,000 years to the modern cutting-edge graffiti culture in its vibrant cities. The Australian art spectrum couldn’t be any bigger.
street art in melbourne
melbourne's vibrant street art
Standing proud as Australia’s capital of graffiti and the stencil graffiti capital of the world, Melbourne’s street art culture is a buzzing hub of individual creativity and incredibly diverse styles. The city’s winding labyrinth of side alleys and large colonial-era walls have provided the perfect canvas for its witty, playful and completely original street art which has provided inspiration for like minded artists and fashionistas a like.
Head to the Southern edge of Melbourne to the famous Hosier Lane (one of the few legal graffiti spots in the world) where all styles of graffiti are not only celebrated but actively encouraged. How amazing is that? If you’re into graffiti, art and modern culture, Melbourne is a must visit.
traditional aboriginal art
aboriginal rock carving
From contemporary canvas dot painting from the Western Desert, to ochre bark paintings in Arnhem Land to the mind-blowingly old (43,000 years no less) rock art engravings in the Olary region, Aboriginal art has to be the most insightful and deepest porthole into the past of Earth’s most ancient living culture.
A true living legacy of spiritual knowledge, an understanding of the ancient land and culture and history of its people can be found not just in carvings and rock engravings but also through traditional dance, songs and rituals that have been meticulously passed down and preserved through the generations.
In more recent years both ancient and contemporary Aboriginal art has spread its wings and opened itself up to the world on a whole new scale in some of the most sought after auctions and exhibitions across the world. Probably the most famous of which, the legendary Warlugulong painting by Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri, sold for a wapping £1.3 million in 2007.
what’s going up, down under
melbourne recital centre
When it comes to architecture, Australia is home to some of the most iconic buildings on the planet (you know which ones we mean) but there’s more. Dig just a little further, take a step back, and you quickly realise contemporary Australian architecture is a leading creative force to be reckoned with across the globe.
It’s not just the Sydney Opera House or the honeycomb façade of Federation Square that you’ve got to watch out for. Places such as the Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island designed by Max Pritchard Architects, is just one of the many innovative (and eco-friendly) luxury hotels in Australia pushing themselves ahead of the crowds. Other new buildings like the Ashton Raggatt McDougall Recital Centre in Melbourne and the much anticipated Rectangular Stadium also in Melbourne will once again be catapulting Australia to top of the international architectural ladder.
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