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2024 Call-Out

Do you have something you're ready to share? fortyfivedownstairs is launching an exciting January - June 2024 program! We invite artists to engage in conversations about potential seasons and exhibitions as part of our 2024 curated theatre and gallery programs.…

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On the Couch with James Yuncken

Who is James Yuncken? I’m a painter, exhibiting for over 30 years now. Always wanted to work in a creative field, but took a while to find my niche. Largely self-taught, but had help early on from friend and then…

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Joint Statement by Theatres and Arts Venues in Victoria

  This joint statement by theatres and arts venues in Melbourne acknowledges the significant and specific impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the performing arts industry around the world, and specifically in Melbourne during extended periods of lockdown.…

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The Age article Burn This

Melbourne actor lands 'monster role' as Burn This revisits the AIDS epidemic By Catherine Lambert January 4, 2021   It's been 10 years of negotiations, hopes and disappointments, but Melbourne actor Mark Diaco is finally bringing one of theatre's heavyweight roles…

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Marisa Mu Online Exhibition

Visions of Love by Marisa Mu is the third solo exhibition of fortyfivedownstairs’ online Fragments series, and the final Fragment of 2020.  Visions of Love is a series of works on paper, all created recently as an act of defiance against…

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James Hale Online Exhibition

Deep and meaningless, the second solo exhibition of fortyfivedownstairs’ online Fragments series features the work of Melbourne artist, James Hale.  This collection of artworks, made just prior to or during Melbourne’s extensive lockdown, is piercing in its simplicity, capturing the…

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Terry Swann Online Exhibition

In the first solo exhibition of fortyfivedownstairs’ Fragments series, artist Terry Swann - one of Australia’s foremost contemporary landscape watercolourists - takes us on a journey from the Kimberley to the Pilbara.  Since living in the Yarrabah Aboriginal Community, Far…

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Barry Jones & Friends Celebrate the Arts

BOOK TICKETS HERE DOWNLOAD PROGRAM HERE Tickets now on sale for Barry Jones & Friends Celebrate the Arts 3pm Sunday 11 October The October birthday of one of Australia’s most remarkable men, Barry Jones AC, has become an annual opportunity…

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Julian Burnside: The importance of art

Why does art matter? Why should we support the arts? Economic rationalists would point out that most artists are economically unviable. That is true, unfortunately. Creative artists generally have miserable incomes from their art, and survive by teaching or waiting…

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HERE Online Exhibition

We're very pleased to announce HERE, the first exhibition in our Fragments online series, open now! Click here to view the exhibition. HERE brings together 25 accomplished Victorian artists, including Judy Holding, Chris Orr, Lisa Sewards, Marisa Mu, Gavin Brown, Naomi Bishop, Tom Gerrard, Mark Chu and more. The online…

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Flashback: Resident Alien 2016

Thursday throwback to 2016 and the remarkable production of Resident Alien by Tim Fountain - produced by our very own Cameron Lukey. Paul Capsis was captivating as Quentin Crisp, the legendary author for whom no topic is off limits. Expertly directed…

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Join Janno’s Corona Girl Project!

We're so looking forward to Janno McLaughlin's upcoming exhibition Making Nonsense at fortyfivedownstairs later this year (dates to be announced soon!). Janno has been incredibly busy on many projects these last few months, including this exhibition, with Rose Lang as…

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Sneak preview: Robyn Rich

At fortyfivedownstairs, we love to encourage visitor engagement within our gallery spaces. Visual art is so enriching, and even more so when you can talk about it, or even participate in it! Robyn Rich is an artist who consistently and…

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Greetings to all friends of fortyfive!

We’re still around, and still working on the survival and regeneration plan for gallery and theatre!   Thank you to all the friends who have contributed so generously to our appeal for help in opening our doors as soon as social…

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Sneak preview: Mike Reed

3000 Streets is the photographic trace of Mike Reed’s near and far wanderings in the worlds’ arteries with the odd servings of meatier bites than others but always a lean towards the unusual and quirky. The exhibition was due to…

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Please join us in our Drive to Survive

Hello to friends of fortyfivedownstairs, written from the bunker! Thank you to all those who have donated to Drive to Survive. Actually, it’s not quite a bunker in a corner of the theatre, it’s a very unbusinesslike corner of the…

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fortyfivedownstairs Drive to Survive

If you’ve enjoyed an experience at fortyfivedownstairs, chances are you understand the enormous value the arts bring to our quality of life. You’re probably also well aware that our industry is in crisis. Thanks to the support of our staff,…

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Sneak preview: James Yuncken

James Yuncken is a longtime fortyfivedownstairs exhibitor and supporter. Sadly his exhibition of small paintings of Hong Kong scenes has been postponed, but we couldn’t resist sharing some of our favourite pieces! Keep an eye out here and on our…

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Flashback: All We Can’t See 2018

As a non-profit exhibition space striving to show diverse, open and thought-provoking art, we've had some excellent group exhibitions at fortyfivedownstairs over the years. One of the more important exhibitions we have hosted was the incredibly moving All We Can't See:…

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Flashback: 45 at 45 exhibition 2017

In 2017, we celebrated our fifteenth birthday, and decided it was a fabulous time to have a group exhibition of fortyfivedownstairs alumni, named 45 at 45. As a result of our unique mission as an unfunded and not-for-profit organisation supporting…

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Flashback: The Long Pigs 2014

Once seen, never forgotten! The Long Pigs, devised and performed by Clare Bartholomew, Derek Ives-Plunkett and Nicci Wilks, with director Susie Dee, galvanised our audiences in early 2014. Alternately hilarious and horrifying, these are the darkest black-nosed clowns you could…

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The Age review of Fly

Fly review: an emotional slice of Australian opera history Bridget Davies August 26, 2019  ★★★½ If there is an art form where one is to be commended for bucking trends, it's the grand old world of opera. And it's a…

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The Saturday Paper review of LOVE/SHIT

Saturday 8 June Alison Croggon Love and Shit, an exhilarating double bill by Patricia Cornelius at fortyfivedownstairs, expose the uncomfortable realities of Australia’s underclass. In doing so, these plays remind us how vital theatre can be.  Sometimes, I really do…

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