It is currently festivals galore on the Melbourne art scene! Check out some of these fantastic art exhibitions.

Shelter: On Kindness
RMIT Gallery

September 25 – October 25, 2009

An art exhibition bringing together more than 50 artists, architects, writers and philosophers to explore the notion of shelter and kindness will open at RMIT Gallery on 25 September.

‘On Kindness’ explores philosophical and material concepts of shelter. This art exhibition is part of the Melbourne International Arts festival.

The range of ideas and visceral experiences is sweeping. The principal participants – Charles Anderson, Robert Bridgewater, Gregory Burgess and Pip Stokes, Lorraine Connelly-Northey, Peter Corrigan, William Eicholtz, Terunobu Fujimori and Jun Sakaguchi , Stephen Haley, Jane and Tor Holth, Alan Johnston and David Connearn, LAB Architecture Studio, Ronnie Lacham, March Studio, Paul Memmott, Murdo Macdonald, John R Neeson, NMBW Architecture Studio, Adam Phillips and Barbara Taylor, RMIT Indigenous Arts Unit and Alan Saunders – have all responded with their own unique vision.

Seventh Gallery

22 September – 10 October, 2009

As part of Melbourne Fringe Festival, running from 22 September to 10 October 2009, Seventh Gallery are running three photographic exhibitions:
Gallery One and Project Space: FELTspace (South Australia) with Monte Masi, Annika Evans, Brigid Noone, Logan Macdonald, Matt Huppatz and James Marshall; Gallery Two: Kate Hodgetts and Night Screen: Sharna Osborne.  Get along to check them out!

Sharna Osborne

In this self-sustaining cycle the nomenclature of mythological creatures dictates their exploits. Sorrowful fate, misunderstanding, physical restraint and pragmatic ruthlessness are all integral for the Family Tree continuum.

Peripheral

RMIT Project Space Spare Room

Larissa LINNELL, Daniel ARMSTRONG, George Poonkhin KHUT, Utako SHINDO and James GEURTS. Curated by Lisa BYRNE

25 September – 16 October 2009

Utako Shindo

Opening night Thursday 24 September 5-7pm

‘Peripheral’ invokes translations of place, space and time. Through exploring peripheral observation, the artists’ works in this photographic exhibition invite reflection on what happens within the space/s of the periphery.

Floor talk: Thursday 1 October 12-1pm

Eye of the Beholder

Glen Eira City Council

Jane Burton

24 September – 18 October 2009

Opening night Thursday 24 September, 6pm

In this 20 year survey exhibition, Jane Burton explores female identity, capturing the sensuality and beauty of the female form depicted in mysterious domestic spaces. Her works are characterised by atmospheric light, dark shadows and seductive textures. Burton is renowned for her intriguing and powerful photographs of urban and remote landscapes and dark interiors of abandoned suburban homes.

Linsey Gosper
Meyers Place Bar
Opening night 15 September, 6 – 9pm

20 Meyers Place, Melbourne

Linsey Gosper’s mural photographic work ‘Furie’ will be on exhibition for one month at one of Melbourne’s first hidden lane bars, Meyers Place.  The fine art prints for this photographic exhibition were printed by the Colour Factory.

Long Distance Vision: Three Australian Photographers
Max Pam, Mathew Sleeth, Christine Godden
The Ian Potter Centre NGV Australia

Max Pam, ‘Sisters’, 1977
28 August 2009 – 21 February 2010

This exhibition examines the idea of the ‘tourist gaze’ and its relationship with three contemporary Australian photographers, who have photographed not only aspects of the everyday at home but venture forth in the world with the delighted, but not uncritical, eyes of the traveller.

Gerard O’Connor and Marc Wasiak
Red Gallery
Opening night 9 September, 6-8pm

Exhibition runs 9 – 26 September 2009

Be prepared for an evening of visual splendor. Be it a crew of motley pirates or a debaucherous bordello, you are sure to be entertained! Take a peek into photographer and stylist partners in crime, Gerard O’Connor and Marc Wasiak’s elaborate worlds. The Colour Factory has been working with Gerard and Marc to make these spectacular mural fine art prints and we look forward to the opening this Wednesday.

Freshly Baked Gallery at 1000 Pound Bend
Each to Their Own
Opening night September 10, 6 – 8pm

Online gallery, Freshly Baked, has assembled seven of Australia’s elite emerging contemporary artists to go on exhibition ‘physically’ at Thousand Pound Bend this Thursday. The exhibition runs until September 23 and includes painting, photography fine art and illustration.

The city is alive with the sound of fashion. Melbourne Spring Fashion week is upon us and this fine art exhibition celebrates the tradition of the lbd.

The Spirit of the Black Dress

10-8 Tuesday-Sunday

Georges on Collins

195 Little Collins St, Melbourne

“The Spirit of the Black Dress is an inaugural event on the Melbourne Spring Fashion Week Schedule.  Emerging fashion and textile designers are asked to submit their interpretation of a contemporary black dress, to be judged by a panel of industry experts.  Ten successful applicants will be chosen to have their garments professionally photographed and displayed in Georges on Collins for the duration of the Festival.  Successful applicants will also gain access to a wide segment of the TCF&L industry including peers, established businesses and media.  The Spirit of the Black Dress aims to give emerging designers an opportunity to gain exposure and synergy to strengthen intra-industry relationships and advance career options”.

Sponsored by Colour Factory

Wallara Travelling Scholarship

Victorian College of the Arts- Margaret Lawrence Gallery

Friday 28 August to Friday 4 SeptemberAn exhibition of finalists from the final year of Bachelor of Fine Art degree. The Wallara Traveling Scholarship offers a young artist the opportunity to travel overseas before returning to study

Bad Directions

Open Space Gallery Eckersley’s

Llawella Lewis and Nina Sers

Opening night Tuesday September 1, 6-8pm

Nina and Llawella collaborate to create a city. This art exhibition runs September 1-6 2009.