A major new contemporary artist commissioning program has been announced by Karen Quinlan, CEO of Arts Centre Melbourne.
This initiative, the first of its kind since the iconic Theatres Building opened 40 years ago, will spotlight leading Australian artists while expanding the Public Art Collection.
The program begins with a new work from celebrated Australian photographer Bill Henson. Supported by Peter Jopling, and Paul and Wendy Bonnici, the commission marks a significant step in Arts Centre Melbourne’s Reimagining project, which seeks to reimagine the Theatres Building for future generations of artists and audiences.
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About the new commission
Henson’s piece, titled Untitled 2024, places David Hallberg, artistic director of The Australian Ballet, within the deconstructed interior of the State Theatre. Architectural photographer John Gollings captured the theatre during its early refurbishment stages, providing a stark, industrial backdrop. The work explores contrasts between destruction and creation, chaos and precision, and the timeless duality inherent in Henson’s art.
Reflecting on the work, Henson said, “I found myself thinking about David as a Dantesque figure… my disembodied vision of Dante needed to float, or perhaps rise up, in the midst of this vast industrial wasteland of a building site.”
Hallberg described the process as meditative, highlighting the collaboration’s unique perspective. “Working with someone from a different artistic language always offers more interesting angles. For Bill, it was about subtlety… a dancer is seen through a lens not like the stage, but a meditative, mesmerised, personal eye.”
The piece will be displayed in the Theatres Building when the State Theatre reopens following its refurbishment.
Expanding the public art collection
This new commissioning program builds on the legacy of John Truscott, the acclaimed designer behind Arts Centre Melbourne’s interiors. During the venue’s original construction, Truscott curated a collection of Australian artworks for the theatre foyers, featuring contributions from artists such as Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan, and Jeffrey Smart. These works are on permanent display alongside the venue’s celebrated collection of Western Desert paintings.
The commissioning series aims to add contemporary pieces to this historic collection, celebrating the intersection of visual and performing arts in Australia. Visitors to the Theatres Building and Hamer Hall can continue to enjoy this evolving public art collection as part of their experience.
Arts Centre Melbourne is home to two significant collections: the Australian Performing Arts Collection and the Public Art Collection. The Australian Performing Arts Collection, started in the 1970s, includes over 850,000 items reflecting Australia’s rich performing arts heritage, with artefacts from Kylie Minogue, Nick Cave, Barry Humphries, and more.
The Public Art Collection, initiated by Truscott, enriches the Arts Centre’s venues with works from some of Australia’s greatest visual artists, providing visitors with an immersive artistic experience.
