Melbourne Art Fair announces 2025 program

Melbourne Art Fair (MAF) has announced an ambitious artistic program for its 18th edition, set to run from 20-23 February 2025 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Under the direction of Melissa Loughnan, and following its move to a summer model, this year’s program is entirely female-led, championing First Peoples artists alongside those traditionally overlooked. It showcases cutting-edge contemporary art including video, large-scale installations, workshops and thought-provoking talks across five sectors: VIDEO, BEYOND, COMMISSION, PROJECT ROOMS and CONVERSATIONS.

There will be over 100 interdisciplinary artists from 70 galleries and Indigenous-owned art centres at the fair, highlighting both emerging and established artists, while the expanded Young Galleries sector gives a platform to the next generation of gallerists.

First Peoples

The fair will feature First Peoples artists at an unprecedented scale, supported by initiatives like the William Mora Indigenous Art Centre Program.

The Victorian First Peoples Art and Design Fair Showcase Exhibition is curated by Janina Harding and Dr. Jessica Clark, and brings together works from 37 Victorian First Peoples artists and art centres, offering audiences a chance to connect deeply with their stories and cultures.

VIDEO

Rachel Ciesla (Art Gallery of Western Australia’s Simon Lee Foundation Institute of Contemporary Asian Art) curated the VIDEO sector, showcasing large-scale installations and moving-image works from the past two decades that challenge perceptions of art and technology.

Artists include the late trailblazing Destiny Deacon (KuKu and Erub/Mer) and Erin Hefferon, presented by Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery; Sara Cwynar presented by Cooper Cole; Oliver Laric presented by Tanya Leighton; Ceal Floyer presented by Esther Schipper; and Tong Wenmin, presented by White Space in association with Videotage.

BEYOND

Curator Anna Briers (Len Lye & Contemporary Art, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery) helms the BEYOND sector, which presents three large-scale installations and spatial interventions.

These include Paul Yore‘s irreverent bejewelled hearse presented by STATION and Hugo Michell, a large-scale suspended painting from Jahnne Pasco-White (STATION), and sculptural weavings by Kim Ah Sam, a Kuku Yalanji Kalkadoon artist (Vivien Anderson Gallery).

PROJECT ROOMS

There will be dynamic projects from West Space and Adelaide Contemporary Experimental, both led by female directors. West Space will showcase Attending To, a sound and installation work by Aarti Jadu and Claire de Carteret, while Adelaide Contemporary Experimental (ACE) presents EARTHING with three South Australian artists, Carly Tarkari Dodd, Oakey and Mark Valenzuela.

COMMISSION

Under the Melbourne Art Foundation 2025 COMMISSION program, two major works by artists Dawn Ng (Sullivan & Strumpf) and Yona Lee (Fine Arts Sydney) will be presented, exploring themes of time, memory and digital networks.

CONVERSATIONS

There will also be a rich program of hands-on workshops, artist talks and panel discussions inviting visitors of all ages to engage directly with artists and curators. CONVERSATIONS, presented by Guardian Australia, is a platform for critical discourse and sharing ideas on topics such as treaty, art and culture, as well as international perspectives on contemporary art and collaboration.

As Melissa Loughnan states: “This year’s fair highlights the immense potential of  contemporary art… As we look to the future, Melbourne Art Fair continues to be instrumental in  shaping the cultural and creative identity of the region.” 

Visit melbourneartfair.com.au for tickets and full program details.