This heritage store's macabre bookcase becomes gallery for mortality-obsessed artists in Castlemaine.
This eclectic heritage building store in Castlemaine is curating a three-week celebration of mortality that kicks off on Halloween.
Merchants of Mostyn (MoM) has transformed its infamous black bookcase into an exhibition space for The Wall of Death, showcasing local artists’ interpretations of mortality and memento mori.
Running from 31 October for three weeks, the exhibition takes over the heritage-listed Mostyn Street store’s most mysterious corner.
The Wall of Death – Castlemaine
- Where: Merchants of Mostyn, 107 Mostyn Street, Castlemaine
- When: 31 October 2025 – 21 November 2025
- Opening night: 31 October from 6pm
- Cost: Free
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Curated by Nicola White, Hayley West and Jake Mallett, The Wall of Death exhibition emerged from the bookcase’s nickname, which houses titles on death, taxidermy, cabinets of curiosities and other macabre subjects.
Merchants of Mostyn opened in 2019 by artist and crafting enthusiast Nicola Lay, and has grown into a must-see Castlemaine destination, known for its eclectic mix of local artworks, books, jewellery, beauty products, taxidermy and other treasures.
Artists working within the constraints of the bookcase’s small niches have created pieces spanning painting, sculpture and jewellery, each offering their unique perspective on the eternal theme.
Works confirmed for the exhibition include a memento mori cyanotype print created after the death of a family member, violent collages using everyday imagery, and jewellery depicting Uroboros representing the eternal circle of life and death.
Other pieces range from a diorama of salvaged materials sculpted into otherworldly plants to paintings inspired by Goya’s Saturn Devouring His Son, reimagined with animals and birds replacing the human subjects. More unconventional works include drawings featuring insect wings as skeleton parts, a deathly rainbow skeleton band print, and a spinnable raffle wheel dubbed the game of life, with causes of death as the prizes.
Halloween night’s opening promises carnivalesque happenings including a hearse, smoke machine and tarot reader. Local death expert Hayley West from The Departure will discuss all things death and dying. West is an independent death worker and end-of-life consultant who champions ethical, personalised and environmentally conscious deathcare, and hosts weekly radio show DEAD AIR on Castlemaine’s 94.9MAINfm.
Merchants of Mostyn
Merchants of Mostyn occupies a beautiful double-fronted heritage-listed building on Mostyn Street, making it the perfect atmospheric setting for an exhibition exploring mortality. The store’s quirky displays and carefully curated collection of local designer and handcrafted wares create an ideal backdrop for artists to explore themes of death and remembrance.
Castlemaine’s vibrant arts community continues to showcase the creative talent flourishing in the goldfields region. MoM regularly champions local designers, jewellers and artists, providing a platform for emerging and established creators to display their work in unique settings.
Artists interested in participating can contact MoM directly via email at [email protected] or through social media. The exhibition space’s unusual format has already inspired some epic pieces from local creatives, promising a diverse range of artistic responses to mortality’s universal themes.
For more information, head here.
