project8 installation (L-R): Oscar Yanez, ‘Fool’s Gold’ 2006/2023, ‘Sometimes Always’ 2023 and El Corte Inglés 2023. Photo: Lucy Foster.
Some good things came out of COVID. project8 is one of them. While the space began as a fledgling idea during the pandemic, it had the luxury of time to be fitted out, ensuring that this new gallery model got it right. Now it is finding its stride, and people are noticing.
Why it is so interesting? project8, located on Collins Street in Melbourne’s CBD, is a kind of ARI (artist run initiative) grown up, mixed with private philanthropic support, and the foundation of a university and academic framework to ensure its offering is chewy and probing.
Gina Fairley is ArtsHub's Senior Contributor, after 12 years in the role as National Visual Arts Editor. She has worked for extended periods in America and Southeast Asia, as gallerist, arts administrator and regional contributing editor for a number of magazines, including Hong Kong based Asian Art News and World Sculpture News. She is an Art Tour leader for the AGNSW Members, and lectures regularly on the state of the arts. She is based in Mittagong, regional NSW.
Instagram: fairleygina
