Route Guides: Hitting the Highlights at Affordable Art Fair Melbourne 2024

Founded by Alice Laura Palmer, an alumna of the Florence Academy of Art, P3 features works by artists who have a high level of technical training.

SOHO Galleries is proud to present the detailed figurative artworks of Bruce Whatley, who excels at capturing movement and life. After completing his PhD in 2008, focusing on ambidextrous image-making, Bruce discovered that many people can draw effectively with their non-dominant hand. Embracing this insight, he has since illustrated three books using his left hand.

At Greenbridge Gallery, you’ll find stunning oil paintings by Jo Blundell, a master at capturing the serene beauty of nature and the charm of Melbourne homes. Blundell’s works offer a tranquil escape, painted with meticulous detail that brings each scene to life.

This group of talented artists excels in creating realistic still lifes that draw you into their world. The Highlands Artist Collective creates compositions that are rich with texture and shadow, making you pause and study every nuance. 

Located in the heart of Canberra’s revitalised Dairy Rd Precinct, Grainger Gallery, founded by artist Kacy Grainger, offers a vibrant space for experiencing art. The gallery proudly features a strong roster of nationally renowned artists including technical painters Samantha Tidbeck and Sarah Waghorn.

The Shibori textiles are a true highlight of the fair. Each artwork showcases pleated silk, meticulously hand-bound, dyed, and arranged to craft unique visual and textural appeal. The silk flows gracefully across the piece, skilfully stitched to evoke a sense of movement.

Established by Brett Lethbridge in 2004, Lethbridge Gallery is renowned for showcasing a diverse range of technically accomplished and high-quality artworks. Marisa Veerman, a Brisbane-based fine artist, has created a unique space by producing mixed media photographic works enhanced with fine embroidery and beading, showcasing her exceptional skill in integrating textile elements with visual art.

M.A.C Studio Gallery is proud to feature the textile art of Lauren Tausend. With a degree in Textile Design from RMIT completed in 2015, Lauren’s work bridges the gap between craft, art, and design. Growing up in country Victoria, she draws inspiration from the texture and movement of the landscape, as well as our interactions within these natural spaces.

KB Art Projects is excited to present an artist whose works are inspired by Indian textiles. Having relocated multiple times across India, the USA, and Australia, the artist’s practice delves into the experience of forming cultural connections in new communities. Their work features multiple layers of stained backgrounds overlaid with mark-making and simplified patterns, reflecting a complex landscape.

Plume Gallery is excited to present Kendra Sloan, a contemporary fiber artist with a background in fashion design. Kendra’s work combines various materials, primarily textiles, to create woven and threaded 2D reliefs and small-scale sculptures. Through a blend of organic and geometric elements, she explores thematic concepts, reflecting her passion for architecture and the natural elements of design.

Collectors who appreciate texture will be drawn to Melony Kara Smirniotis’s thick impasto paintings at Gallery 11:11. Her art features layers of tactile markings that play with light, creating a dynamic viewing experience.

With over 20 years of history in Melbourne, this beloved local spot is celebrated for its dynamic solo and group exhibitions, featuring both Australian and international artists. Outré Gallery remains a cornerstone for art lovers, spotlighting New Contemporary art in a lively environment where creative expressions flourish.

Nestled in the bustling Fitzroy Arts precinct, SOL Gallery stands out as a local favourite that showcases both local and artists of Asian heritage. This vibrant gallery serves as a meeting ground for diverse artistic expressions, enriching the community through considered exhibitions.

Established in 2004 in Queenscliff, Victoria, Salt Contemporary Art exhibits the works of Contemporary Australian Painters, Sculptors and Ceramicists. Housed in a historically significant former drapery store, the gallery offers two spacious levels of exhibition space, a private client viewing room, and stunning water views.

Established in 1968, Manyung Gallery Group is one of Australia’s largest and longest running contemporary art businesses. With five contemporary art galleries located in Malvern, Mount Eliza, Mornington, Flinders, and Sorrento, Manyung is directed by Sharyn and David Wemyss-Smith. The business showcases contemporary works of art by established and emerging painters and sculptors who are sourced Australia-wide.

Grant + Williams is an independent artist collective formed in 2022 by Megan Grant and Carly Williams, both painters from regional Victoria with their own unique, bold and textural styles. 

The Jackson Pensa Price Collective is made up of three independent Australian Artists; Kirsten Jackson, Mia Pensa and Anna Price.

Art to Art will be bringing their biggest stand yet with 30+ artists including lots of local talent to discover.

Rooted in the belief that every individual possesses the capacity for growth and transformation through artistic expression, REBIRTH curates an environment where emerging talent flourishes. An eclectic mix of young artists, this collective offers a dynamic selection of artworks from hyper-pigmented sketches to pop-nostalgic pixel paintings. 

Discover: Young Talent Melbourne’s line-up is dedicated to showcasing the freshest and most exciting emergent artists on the scene today. These hand-selected young visionaries are pushing boundaries, creating works that are visually stunning, thought-provoking, and deeply engaging. Stop by this booth for innovative ceramics, stylised figurative artworks, neon realism, sustainable practice, sweeping landscapes and an array of eclectic contemporary paintings.

Located in Brunswick East, Original Art Studio features fine art photography and original artwork. Known for its quality framing and archival-quality canvas prints, the gallery is proud to represent artists and photographers from across Melbourne.

Founded this year, Ambedo is new to the art fair scene. One to watch, this collective consists of Sue Meyer, Simone Read and Tricia Trinder, whose artwork centres on nature and how we relate to it.

Located in the heart of Arequipa, Peru, the Diverso Art Gallery is the brainchild of renowned artist Luis Fuentes. By offering a multicultural platform, it extends opportunities to both emerging and established artists. 

Located in the bustling city of Auckland, New Zealand, Limn Gallery stands as a beacon of urban and contemporary art. Specialising in post-graffiti and contemporary works, the gallery is on a mission to encourage the exchange of ideas and foster dialogue about the nuances of urban art and its culture.

Discover Beijing 2102 Art Space, a dynamic gallery that bridges contemporary China with the global art scene. Committed to showcasing China’s exceptional contemporary art, the gallery strives to elevate its artists to an international platform. By focusing on innovative and cutting-edge works, Beijing 2102 Art Space not only highlights the rich cultural landscape of China but also connects it with the world’s foremost art circles. 

Tree Art Space, founded in 2010 and based in Shanghai, is dedicated to showcasing modern art.

AM Art Gallery Collective is a group of professional independent visual artists established in 2019 by Angela Maritz. The collective forms the foundation for sharing creative and conceptual ideas. It aligns with internationally recognised art associations to expand and flourish through showcasing artwork to the world.

Established in 2001, Mayumi International is deeply involved in the management of Japanese artists. With a prestigious track record of exhibitions in Australia and Europe, Mayumi International also showcases talent at a variety of international art shows around the globe. Through a range of American publications, they continue to promote and sell the works of Japanese artists across the Western world. You can expect a diverse selection with more than 80 artworks on exhibit.

Hailing from Hong Kong, TavernART will bring a hang of curated artwork from international artists.

Warlukurlangu Artists is one of the oldest and most successful Aboriginal-owned art centres in Central Australia. It has a national and international profile and its art has been featured in hundreds of exhibitions and publications in Australia and around the world. Warlukurlangu means ‘belonging to fire’ in the local language, Warlpiri, and is named after a fire dreaming site west of Yuendumu.

Known for its iconic ‘little feature wall’, Aspire Gallery curates a wonderful selection of small but mighty artworks perfect for a saloon-style hang under $500! Each visit feels like a treasure hunt as you explore the vast array of affordable and diverse artworks. No wonder the Affordable Art Fair team loves it— with many members collecting the perfect piece for their walls from this much-loved Brisbane-based gallery.

Artist Andria Beighton from CAL Collective created the ‘Tinnies’ series offering a delightful collection of small canvases, each priced at $330. Her work beautifully explores a lifelong passion for textiles, homewares, and architectural design spanning from the 1930s to the 1970s, gracing her paintings with an unmistakable nostalgic charm.

The Toowoomba Gallery drew a crowd at our Brisbane and Sydney fairs earlier this year with a bright hang of artworks under $1000. With artworks from landscapes to still lifes at varying price points, a budget-conscious buyer is sure to be delighted at the range on offer. 

Discover affordable art at Australia’s premier online art gallery, Bluethumb. For a limited time, experience their diverse collection in person at the Affordable Art Fair, offering you the unique opportunity to get up close with their wide range of artworks, many of which are under $1,000.