40 leading Melbourne artists have joined forces for The Election Exhibition, backing Greens MP for Richmond Gabrielle de Vietri.
Featuring works from renowned artists like Christian Thompson AO, Hoda Afshar and a live performance from the Huxleys, the Election Exhibition is an unmissable special three-day exhibition and auction hosted by Victorian Greens MP for Richmond Gabrielle de Vietri, coming to Collingwood later this month.
Before entering parliament, Gabrielle de Vietri spent 15 years working as an internationally recognised contemporary artist, exploring themes of justice, power and collective action.
Now de Vietri is bringing her art and political words together with a stellar lineup of artists coming together for The Election Exhibition.
Running from 30 July to 1 August at Sarah Scout Presents, The Election Exhibition brings together works spanning photography, painting, sculpture and installation, with every artwork available to bid on online or at a live auction on the closing night where there will also be a special live performance from The Huxleys.
De Vietri was first elected as the Greens MP for Richmond in 2022. Since then, she’s pushed for renters’ rights, fought the demolition and privatisation of public housing, introduced an empty homes tax and Airbnb regulations, secured protections for LGBTIQA+ and disabled communities, and helped pass Victoria’s first Treaty.
“Politics and art have never been separate worlds for me. Artists have always helped shape the conversations that change society, challenged those in power and inspired people to demand something better,” de Vietri said.
“One of the defining moments that pushed me into politics was withdrawing from the Sydney Biennale over its sponsorship by a company profiting from offshore detention. That experience taught me that when people come together and stand by their values, they really can change history. That’s the spirit behind this exhibition.”
With Richmond shaping up as a tightly contested seat ahead of the November 2026 state election, the exhibition is designed to help fund her ongoing campaign.
Richmond represent – The Election Exhibition
- In-person viewing: 30 July – 1 August, 12–5pm
- Online bidding: 13 July – 1 August, 8pm
- Live closing auction: 1 August, 6–8pm
- Location: Sarah Scout Presents, 47 Easey Street, Collingwood
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
View this post on Instagram
The lineup reads like a who’s who of contemporary Australian art, including Fiona Abicare, Hoda Afshar, Elyas Alavi, Darcey Bella Arnold, Jon Campbell, Nadine Christensen, Sarah crowEST, Ara Dolatian, Lauren Dunn, Brodie Ellis, megan evans, Betra Fraval, Katherine Hattam, Bianca Hester, Kez Hughes, The Huxleys, Kait James, Deborah Kelly, Nicholas Mangan, Gian Manik, Gabriel Nilsen, Stephen Palmer, Jason Phu, Jake Preval, Sunday Punctum, Benjamin Prabowo Sexton, Lisa Radford, Diego Ramírez, Steven Rendall, Cameron Robbins, Kiron Robinson, Natalie Ryan, Tai Snaith, Christian Thompson AO, Sam Wallman, Peter Waples-Crowe and Lisa Young.
Standout pieces include Will and Garrett Huxley’s The Flower of My Secret, a surreal, glittering image of two queer lovers drawing on the spirit of Jean Genet’s writing, and Hoda Afshar’s Behold, which documents a hidden bathhouse where a group of gay men found refuge from persecution in an unidentified Iranian city.
Wadawurrung artist Kait James contributes Pale Skin Blak Fella Barbie, a sculptural piece that takes aim at stereotypes and white-washed narratives in Australian history, while Christian Thompson AO’s House of Gold looks at the Parliament of Victoria as a site of colonial power, layered with personal and genealogical meaning.
“Everything I’ve fought for in Parliament – from protecting public housing and renters to standing up for climate action and equality – comes from the same belief that guided me as an artist, that a better world is possible if enough people are willing to fight for it,” she said.
“At a time when the arts are under pressure and so many people feel disillusioned with politics, it’s more important than ever that we come together, support artists and build the kind of movement that can create real change,” de Vietri said.
The closing event on 1 August will include a special performance from The Huxleys, alongside the live auction. All participating artists have been offered 50% of the proceeds from any sale, with artworks selling once they reach their reserve price.
For more information, head here.
This article was made in partnership with the Victorian Greens.
