The City of Melbourne has a proud history of public art with its streets and laneways providing the backdrop for a wide range of heritage and contemporary artworks.
Aiming to enrich and celebrate Melbourne’s laneways, the City of Melbourne began its Laneway Commissions program in 2001.
Concepts are regularly sought from artists for a series of contemporary public works. It might be an artwork, project or an event. Artists explore sites within the central business district and develop the work according to their own practice.
Laneway Commissions 2011
A season of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander public art works.
This year the Laneway Commissions will celebrate the creativity and excellence of Melbourne’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.
Having received no applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists in the history of the program, Laneway Commissions 2011 is dedicated to showcasing artists from these communities, placing their art and culture firmly in the public realm.
Six projects have been commissioned that traverse a variety of perspectives, stories and art forms, providing a rich cultural framework through which to view Melbourne’s contemporary urban landscape. Spread over ten different locations, Laneway Commissions 2011 is the most extensive exhibition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander public art in Victoria.
The 2011 season runs from 28 September 2011 to 25 March 2012.
Visit What's On for more information and an audio tour of this year's Laneway Commissions.
- Melbourne: Two Worlds, Wurundjeri Council
- Iron Cross, Yhonnie Scarce
- Neon Natives, Reko Rennie
- Where I am, Destiny Deacon
- Urban Doolagahl, Steaphan Paton
- Let’s Talk Treaty, John Harding
Download the Laneway Commissions 2011 brochure:
Walking Tours
During the Melbourne Indigenous Arts Festival in February 2012, the City of Melbourne will be running guided walking tours of the Laneway Commissions 2011. Meet the artists and hear firsthand the stories and ideas behind each of their artworks.
The tours are free, however numbers are strictly limited to 15 people per tour, so bookings are essential – book now!