fortyfivedownstairs presents 'more than this' by artist Clive Jones. Episodes from History and from observation and memory rearranged in a Realist painterly way.

'Aboreal' presents a series of pastel and paper embossed drawings by artist Michael Pearce. The series developed from the artist's first visit to Wilson’s Promontory in late 2019 where he was fascinated by the twisting, textures and creature like shapes of the windswept coastal tea trees.

The exhibition explores the concept of creating something 'Brand New' through a series of six NH Architecture projects, most notably the redevelopment of the Queen Victoria Market and Arts Centre Melbourne. These endeavours engage the challenges of respecting Naarm’s ecologies, geographies and multiple histories whilst foregrounding each project’s onward journey.

It is our pleasure to host the finalists for the ninth annual fortyfivedownstairs Emerging Artist Award! The Prize is a proven catalyst for ongoing recognition and professional development and allows audiences the privilege of accessing early-career works by exciting emerging artists.

Photographs presented, all shot on Ektrachrome 120mm film, in
preference to the Digital format, ensuring a freshness of Image. You, the viewer, are
presented with the best opportunity to experience what Gamvros has been
courageous enough to seek, encounter and record. Fresh and fast, instantaneous,
decisions are made and actioned on site, in double quick time.

In 'Heartscape', abstract artist Melinda Ly explores the intersection of abstract art and meditation. The pieces merge poetry and guided meditation, taking viewers on an introspective journey amd examining a broad array of emotions and states to promote self-awareness and discovery.

At the Still Point is an exhibition of paintings and drawings by Michele Burder exploring travel through urbanised nature. It depicts nature alongside roads as seen through bus or car windows, as well as moments when captured on walks through public parks and local reserves. They represent samples of time, fleeting scenes which reflect on the transience of nature - these landscapes even though they are ordinary they presage threats from development, overuse and pollution.

This exhibition is a rare glimpse into the potential that is unlocked when we are able to embrace cultural diversity and share, appreciate, know, collaborate and negotiate cultural divides. At the college, 53 different nationalities express their unique cultural practices and perspectives through the Arts. Sharing and collaborating with their peers, students co-create artworks that are unique within the Melbourne arts diaspora.

'Just A Sheila', by sculptor and mixed media artist Josie Lowerson, explores a sculptural narrative of social and domestic situations observed from a female perspective. The exhibition portrays the feminine sensuality and struggle of women, whilst revealing the conflict between necessity and the desire to pursue goals.

Lea Rose is an environmental and ecological, Naarm (Melbourne) based emerging artist who integrates their art practice with scientific field research. Rose is 2024 PhD candidate (Geography and Indigenous Knowledge Institute) Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne. In ‘Unveiling Echoes, Passage to Seeding Hope’ Rose invites the viewer, through muti-dimensional immersive art forms to contemplate the devastating impacts of colonisation on the Australian environment. Through Rose’s photographic works, film, printmaking, painting and installations, the potentiality for environmental recovery is explored by posing questions around land use and conservation in the Australian context. Rose seeks to inspire a sense of reverence for the beauty and resilience of the natural world, encouraging the viewer to play a role in natures preservation.

This exhibition brings together figure paintings by Naarm based artist Elena Valimberti. From Valimberti's "Shed series" of paintings, she works to transform the mundane into something quietly beautiful through traditional oil painting.

Robert Lee Davis' 'Community Art Card Project' returns to fortyfivedownstairs for the second consecutive year. More details coming soon...

fortyfivedownstairs presents 'FORT EARTH PROJECT + EXHIBITION 2024' by FORT HEART.

'Aftermath' is a stunning photographic collection by Justin Ness showcasing the natural beauty of Tyagarah Nature Reserve following the 2023 bushfire. These photographs reveals the profound impact of climate change on this delicate ecosystem.

'Working Memories' is a contemporary textile art exhibition that unites the works of Helvi Apted, Elise Cakebread, Janelle Evans, Rebecca George, Phong Chi Lai, Carolyn Menzies, Tamara Russell, Britt Salt, and Shannon Slee under the theme of memory.

fortyfivedownstairs presents 'Across the Top End - Where Land Speaks' by Terry Swann, one of Australia's foremost contemporary watercolourists. Painting on location, she uses her emotional response to capture the essence of the Australian outback- in colour, texture and movement.

fortyfivedownstairs presents 'Africa, the pain and the beauty' by Brigitte Marie Pascal. More details coming soon...

'Romantic Rebellion' by Justine McAllister is a celebration of celebration of liberated chaos, where conventions are dismantled and expectations are cast aside.

‘Dark Waters’ showcases paintings and drawings through which artist Mary Koniavitis explores the enigmatic depths of the unconscious.

Poet Tree is a collection of drawings by Chloe Vallance that pause in places of wonder.

Dorothy Lipmann's collection of abstract paintings in 'Walkaway' explores the situations of elderly homeless women.

fortyfivedownstairs is excited to once again be hosting our community-sourced, small works exhibition SMALL! SMALL! is an opportunity to see the walls of fortyfivedownstairs covered with an endless variety of styles and media including painting, drawing and sketches, prints, textiles, and small sculptural works.