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A person is inside a modern art gallery looking up at a towering sculpture behind them is a large banner saying emergency

Melbourne's must-see exhibitions

From interactive installations to pop-up art galleries, these exhibitions can't be missed.

Two people seated below a neon sign.
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The Story of the Moving Image

A permanent exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.

Installation view of the Spartans & Anzacs exhibition at the Shrine of Remembrance, with people walking around the space, reading panels and looking at displays.
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Spartans & Anzacs

This exhibition invites reflection on the enduring values forged in conflict.

Black and white photograph of a busy Melbourne city intersection with trams, cars, people crossing the road, and buildings, dating from around the 1950s or 1960s.
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Making Modern Melbourne

This free exhibition examines the tumultuous twentieth century in Melbourne.

Abstract acrylic painting with a blending texture of deep purples, blues, dark browns, and vibrant splashes of fiery red across the canvas.
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Yolanda Scholz Vinall: Echoing Paths (revised)

Echoing Paths explores the evolution of artistic practice through changing ideas and methods.

Close-up view of a hand-woven wall covering featuring a textured beige background with minimalist geometric designs.
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Camille Laddawan & Kokoro Kimura (JP): Aura

An exhibition of new works by Camille Laddawan and Kokoro Kimura (JP).

A gold-coloured metal pendant with a circular top section and a rectangular bottom section, featuring embossed abstract patterns, with blurred people working at a craft table in the background.

Tokens, Talismans and Tamata

Create your own ornaments inspired by historic offerings and imagery in this festive workshop.

A black and white photograph of a family eating a meal at the family dining table circa 1950.
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You Have a New Memory

An exhibition that explores how and why we remember, through the lens of the Library's collections.

View of Melbourne from across the Yarra River

Wellness and Lifestyle Expo

Discover a vibrant celebration of wellness, lifestyle, creativity and community all under one roof.

Light grey textured bark fragments placed on a warm, golden-brown metallic or painted surface.
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Jessica Row: If a tree falls in the urban forest

An exhibition by Jessica Row inspired by the trees in naarm/Melbourne.

Oil painting of a still life featuring red flowers in a dark vase, paired with ceramic jars, a red book, and scattered red apples on a red tabletop.
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The Victorian Artists Society Studio

Showcase of the range of artistic practices that continue to be taught in the historic VAS Studio.

Art photograph of a female floating on water viewed from above.
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Physis: Elemental Bodies

An exhibition of works by photographic artist Lilli Waters.

People on the back of a flatbed truck in a tree and fern setting.
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Mimpi

Exploring the intersection of experimental music, Javanese song and ritualistic dance.

Painting of a large brick building on a corner with a tree in the foreground and some parked cars.
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Victorian Artists Society Christmas Salon

This showcase celebrates small and affordable artworks perfect for holiday gifting.

An oil painting of a woman with a kimono draped around her shoulders.
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Send Nudes

A knowing wink at a modern cliché, and a celebration of the oldest subject in the history of art.

Artwork showing a composite of illustrations of heads and portraits with wooden planks.
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5/6: A Celebration of Friendship Through Art

Five individuals working in different ways, showing their distinct views of the world through art.

Byzantine icons of Jesus, Mary and John the Baptist, their heads haloed in gold.
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Divine Thresholds: Icons and the Orthodox Christian World

Discover centuries of craftsmanship, devotion and momentous history in this new landmark exhibition.

An oil painting depicting a side-profile view of a woman with short dark hair, rendered in warm, soft lighting, with a classical sculpted bust in the background.
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The Figure From Life

An exhibition honouring the enduring discipline of drawing and painting from the living model.

Bright animated art installations displayed around the historic Coop's Shot Tower inside Melbourne Central.
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Cosmic Summer: By Melbourne Central & DONCARRRLOS

Dive into a cosmic summer as Melbourne Central transforms into an underwater world.

A glowing neon river show at night with Melbourne's city skyline in the background

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View of Melbourne from across the Yarra River
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Catalyst Exhibition

An exhibition by the graduating class of the Melbourne Polytechnic Bachelor of Illustration.

The grand, ornate domed interior of 333 Collins Street building, with a red poppy projection on the ceiling.

Remembrance Day at 333 Collins

A striking poppy projection beneath the heritage 1890s dome, honouring Remembrance Day.

A large hanging piece of art showing a person lying back on a rock.
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a/part: Hoda Afshar

A selection of photographic and video projects by Melbourne-based artist Hoda Afshar.

Portrait of a woman with her face painted blue and embellished with gold stars, wearing a colourful, fan-like headdress.
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Passage: The Art of Atong Atem

NGV presents the first-ever major solo exhibition of contemporary artist Atong Atem.

An expressive, semi-abstract oil painting featuring a vibrant crowd of figures in warm red, yellow, and cool blue tones against a glowing background.
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Connections Art Exhibition

Connections is an art exhibition, for a cause that matters.

An aerial shot of the Shrine of Remembrance on a sunny day with the city and parklands in the background.

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A man dressed in a drag parody of a First Nations Canadian, riding horseback through the English countryside.
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Kent Monkman: Miss Chief's Picture Show

The first Australian solo exhibition by internationally celebrated Cree artist, Kent Monkman.

Looking over a blurred shoulder at a table with books displayed.
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World of the Book

Experience the rare, the sacred and the iconic in this one-of-a-kind exibition.

Artwork resembling a strange dry landscape with rock formations jutting out and pinkish sky.
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Lea Rose: Direl Lake Tyrrell

Exploring collective responsibility, cultural injustices and challenges Australia’s national psyche.

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Street art mural featuring women's faces.

Street art

Melbourne laneways are filled with street art, stencils, paste-ups and mixed media.

Night view of the Federation brass bells, perched atop metal upright supports.

Federation Bells

The Federation Bells are a set of 39 brass bells located in Birrarung Marr in central Melbourne.

Small screens with birds, along St Kilda Rd, outside National Gallery of Victoria.

Julian Opie's Australian Birds

See the artist's illuminated birds on St Kilda Road.

Colourful Aboriginal mural paintings on electrical boxes.

Revitalise & Reconnect, Mandi Barton

Artist Mandi Barton has transformed three electrical boxes with her site-responsive artworks.