Art
Art, art galleries and exhibitions in Melbourne
Ken Unsworth: Truly, Madly
If you wander into the NGV's Ian Potter Centre this summer you might find yourself face-to-face with some rather creepy spectres. Melbourne-born, Sydney-based artist Ken Unsworth's sculptural installations are full of skeletons, terrifying pianos (we promise that makes sense once you've seen them) and otherworldly figures. But despite the sheer punk attitude conjured up by a grand piano dissected by a giant saw blade, there's a softness and introspective quality to these sculptures. For example, that piano pays homage to Unsworth's late wife Elizabeth, who was a concert pianist. This is the first major survey of Unsworth's sculptural works in Melbourne, and is scattered all around the foyers of the NGV Ian Potter Centre. That means it's totally free to see all the works, which range from his earliest sculpture in 1968, through to four that have been created specifically for the exhibition.
Where to find the best street art in Melbourne
When you think Melbourne, some of the words that come to mind surely must be 'coffee', 'laneways' and 'street art'. Street art covers almost every nook and cranny of our creative, colourful city, but there are more highly concentrated clusters than others. These are the street art hotspots that any self-respecting 'grammer should be snapping: the city's ten best street mural hotspots, in all their spray-painted laneway glory. Continue your art journey through Melbourne at these free galleries, or purchase your very own piece of art at one of these weird and wonderful shops.
Art exhibitions to see in Melbourne
The best art in Melbourne
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San Telmo
San Telmo doesn’t muck around. This gaucho steakhouse run by a bunch of Melbourne hospo gringos lays its carnivorous scene at the entrance, where some impressive bits of cow sit dry ageing behind glass. It’s a memorable welcome, the voluptuously marbled fat a promise in writing of good things to come. Step further into this temple de carne in Melbourne’s parliament barrio and you’ll come face to face with the open kitchen and its centrepiece parilla, where glowing hot coals are shovelled around by a brow-mopping chef who really ought to be paid danger money. The people have spoken, and the people want meat. They want meat in a lair that’s just like being transported to Buenos Aires, where cowhide in its various forms covers the menus and every other available surface. The people also want fried broccoli. The must-order dish at San Telmo is their contribution to the oeuvre known as good veg gone bad: florets of broccoli fried in batter until they scream for crunchy mercy and buried under a salty cheese blizzard of grated pecorino. You could easily sit down with a plate of these babies, a glass of something off the all-Argentinean wine list and call it lunch. But there are more strings to the San Telmo bow than steak and fried broccoli. There’s a vitello tonnato playing tribute to the nation’s significant Italian population; tissue-fragile pieces of eye fillet, dabbed behind the ears with tuna mayo and given a classical kick with capers and parmesan. There’s a born-to-be-mild
Hallelujah! The Smith has launched a bottomless, gospel-inspired brunch
Bottomless brunches are more common in Melbourne than ticket inspectors on trams (though decidedly more enjoyable). In a city filled with avocado toasts and piddly Mimosas, there’s one place that’s doing the weekend staple a little differently. Starting November 10 the Smith is hosting Brunch with Soul, a new bottomless brunch with a divine difference. Every Saturday while you’re enjoying your endless drinks and the brunch menu, the Smith will be switching things up Sister Act-style with a live gospel choir roaming throughout the Prahran venue. Praise be – finally a brunch that lets you enjoy music from the hallowed halls while downing a sweet selection of spritzes. The Smith’s brunch drinks menu features six pretty-as-can-be spritzes to try plus house wine, beer and sparkling. For a hit of citrus try the Pamplemousse Spritz, a zingy mix of grapefruit, pinot gris and soda. Or for something botanical try the Lavender Bomb: Bombay Sapphire Gin with lavender, prosecco and soda. While the choir spreads the gospel (music) you’ll be enjoying one of the dishes on the Smith’s heavenly brunch menu. Go classic with the Smith’s almost hangover-curing egg and bacon burger (it somes sandwiched with a salt and vinegar hash brown). Those wanting to balance out their drinks with some wholesome fare can opt for the vegan and gluten-free coconut rice pudding, which comes topped with roast banana and berry compôte. Or just lean into the boozy brunch and get the Aperol French toast with gr
Sydney for the curious
With a sculptural facade that gleams like a multifaceted jewel, the West Hotel sits on the western side of the city centre near the waterfront at Darling Harbour and Barangaroo. This new boutique hotel is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton and boasts brilliant designer touches including an atrium 'jungle' enjoying all-day sunshine; sophisticated dining at Solander Dining & Bar; and guest rooms with Wi-Fi, 49-inch TVs, Bluetooth speaker systems and Google Chromecast, so that guests can stream their own music and movies. The Curio Collection conducted research and found that curiosity plays a major role in travel choices. They narrowed down travellers into five archetypes: food-loving epicureans; arts-inspired culturalists; nature-seeking pathfinders; thrillseeking challengers; and switched-on spiritualists. With that in mind, Time Out has teamed up with West Hotel to curate five different lists of essential Sydney experiences, taking the five archetypes as inspiration. Know yourself, choose your own adventure, and explore the best of this city. And whether you're from out of town or a local seeking a staycation, you can book a weekend getaway at West Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton. Rooms start at $218 per night.
Enjoy stars and cars at Mercedes me
There’s something compelling about a snapshot of a celebrity in front of a beautiful car, like a glimpse into another world. It’s an image we’ve seen a thousand times before and we’ll see a thousand times again, but few have the same timeless look and feel of a Mercedes. Commencing Monday, November 26, Mercedes me is marking the one-year anniversary of the launch of their CBD concept store with a gala and exhibition showcasing some of its classic cars and the prominent people who have owned and driven them. Several famous faces from old-school Hollywood including Sophia Loren, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Lee and Elvis, as well as modern day celebrities like Tom Hanks, Rowan Atkinson and F1 driver Lewis Hamilton have all owned and driven Mercedes-Benz cars. The week-long display will run until Saturday, December 1, with celebrations coming to a head with the gala on Friday, November 30. It takes place at the Mercedes me Melbourne store at 525 Collins Street. Entry to the Stars and Cars exhibition is complimentary. This exhibition and gala are the latest in a series of events by Mercedes me Melbourne. Each week the store puts on something new in celebration of its values, including sport, art, design, innovation, food, wine, fashion and community leadership. Find out more about Mercedes me Melbourne's gala and exhibition here.
