RETURN TO THE CITY is a contemporary art exhibition of new work inspired by historic aspects of William Johnston’s life and the Collection itself, commissioned from some of Melbourne’s most on the beat makers, including The GLAD Rappers and The Melbourne Tapestry Weavers Collective as well as individual artists Anne Bolitho, Lewis Brownlie, Sai-Wai Foo, Irianna Kanellopoulou, Abbey Rich, Robyn Rich, Sharron Okines, Louise Saxton, Ellen Sorensen and others.
The Hotham Street Ladies have transformed the Green Room into ‘a night after’ scene from an imaginary party hosted by William Johnston in the 1960s, with a royal icing installation, while textile artist ChiliPhilly features crochet hats and a portrait of William Johnston and his friend Ahmed, in the Blue Room and artist Amanda Dziedzic is showing her glass vegetables in the Kitchen. There is much to see in this exciting and unexpected meeting of ‘old-fashioned-meets-contemporary’
The commissioned contemporary works are displayed against the back-drop of William Johnston’s extraordinary heritage collection of Regency, Georgian and Louis XV furniture, paintings, ceramics and objet d’art.
Need to know:
- The Johnston Collection is at 152/154 Hotham St, East Melbourne VIC.
- Return to the City is on now through to Tuesday 31 January 2017
- Tours daily 10.00 am, 12.00 pm, 2.00 pm
Shop Shop:
- Confirmed bookings are essential. Buy tickets here.
Get Social:
The Garb Wire 