The top of Bourke Street will be reimagined into a 24/7 art gallery as part of the City of Melbourne’s plan to rejuvenate the city.
The project, titled Uptown, will feature a grip of notable artists and large scale works from the likes of Bill Henson, Destiny Deacon and Peter Atkin. Some will be obvious, like Henson’s mammoth billboard featuring classic works, while others will take a more subtle approach, hiding in the facades of Bourke Street.
Among other names on the bill will be works from Archibald Prize-winning artist Louise Hearman in the windows of Grossi Florentino and Cellar Bar, wordplay tucked away in unexpected areas of the precinct from the delightful Kenny Pittock, and a vacant shopfront reinterpreted into a dystopian nightclub by The Huxleys.
Along with the City of Melbourne, Uptown has been made possible by the local businesses, property owners, the arts community, as well as co-curators Fiona Scanlan and Robert Buckingham—both key figures in Melbourne’s fashion and arts industry.
Uptown will be on show from Tuesday 15 December to 28 February 2021.
While you’re at it, check out another free exhibition featuring Rone here.
Image credit: suppled