Design in art in Victoria

Design comes in many shapes, forms and sizes. The artist's desired effect often transcends the moment or space in which it is appreciated. 

In the lead up to the opening of Patricia Piccinini and Joy Hester: Through love … exhibition at TarraWarra Museum of Art, Melbourne-based artist Piccinini’s iconic, infrequently-seen 34m-long hot air balloon (7 storeys high) Skywhale (pictured above) will grace the Yarra Valley sky.  From 24 November 2018 - 11 March 2019, visitors will have the opportunity to view more than 50 works, including a major new sculpture by Piccinini and rarely-seen works by Hester, that show the incredible spectrum of human and non-human relationships, from romantic love and maternal devotion through to the connections formed between humans and animals, and animate and inanimate objects. 313 Healesville-Yarra Glen Rd, Tarrawarra VIC 3775, (03) 5957 3100

Designing Women is currently on show until 24 March 2019 at the National Gallery of Victoria. Drawn from the NGV Collection, Designing Women explores lighting, furniture, object and fashion design, together with architecture, textiles and contemporary jewellery. More than sixty diverse works will be showcased alongside new acquisitions, all united by their female authorship. The exhibition includes works by fifty designers, from Australian icons such as Elliat Rich and Helen Kontouris to international trailblazers including Zaha Hadid and Neri Oxman. 180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3006, (03) 8620 2222

Heide Museum of Modern Art pays homage to Mirka Mora, a beloved and central figure in the cultural life of Australia in the Mirka Mora: Pas de Deux— Drawings and Dolls which runs until 24 March 2019.  Visitors will see on display items that commemorates the artist’s most personal work: drawings and soft-sculpture dolls from her home and studio where she kept them close for many decades.  7 Templestowe Rd, Bulleen VIC 3105, (03) 9850 1500

For two weekends only, plant and garden lovers can rejoice as the Garden DesignFest 2018 returns this year. Launched in 2004, and run every other year, the event showcases over 30 spectacular gardens in Ballarat, Bendigo and Macedon Ranges (10 & 11 November) followed by Melbourne and Mornington Peninsula (17 & 18 November) featuring the work of some of Victoria's most acclaimed garden designers.  This charity event not only raises funds for a worthy cause but also encourages creative, bold, innovative, versatile, practical and responsible gardening in Australian gardens.  040 083 2992

On the international stage

Dining out is more than just filling the stomach - diners seeking experiences beyond the palate take aesthetics and ambiance into serious consideration. Recently at the global Restaurant and Bar Design Awards in London, Victorian restaurants and bars took the top prizes home for:

Others Melbourne venues shortlisted for the awards include:  city bar and restaurant Longsong, Abbotsford café Au79, nightclub Baroq House and Guy Grossi’s Pezzo.

In Hong Kong, the largest-ever international presentation of Victorian design will be showcased at Asia’s premier design event, Hong Kong Business of Design Week (BODW) in December 2018.  Victoria’s design credentials will be showcased at various programs including DesignInspire Melbourne Pavilion, Melbourne Fashion Showcase and BoDW speaking program. 

The art of design is intrinsic to the fabric of Victoria, be it in a gallery, a café, or in a massive blimp floating high above its intended audience.