
Sofitel Melbourne On Collins - Exhibitions and Artist-in-Residence projects
Global Art Projects has had a long and fruitful relationship with the Accor Hotel Group. We have been Consultant Curators to Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, Melbourne's Hotel for the Arts, since 2006. We curate and manage an Exhibition Program of high quality contemporary art from around Australia and overseas which is exhibited within the Lounge, Lobby and Atrium areas of the hotel. We have also undertaken major permanent artwork commissions of paintings and sculpture for Restaurant 35, and we commissioned over 2,500 original photographs of Melbourne and Parks for the recent refurbishment of 350 hotel rooms. We have also curated and managed a number of projects for other Sofitel/Accor properties including Sofitel Wentworth Sydney and Sofitel Gold Coast.
While we curate most exhibitions, we also like to partner with leading Melbourne arts organisations and events as well as commercial galleries and arts agents to present joint exhibitions and projects at Sofitel.
For many years we have showcased the winner of the Sofitel/CRAFT Fresh! award for emerging craft practitioners. Fresh! is an annual exhibition at CRAFT of the most interesting contemporary craft and design from Victorian graduates. Sofitel Melbourne On Collins and Global Art Projects selects one finalist to present their new work the following year at the hotel.
Have a look at the past Sofitel/CRAFT Fresh! award winner exhibitions
We also manage an Artist-in-Residence project for Sofitel. Artists have access to all areas of the hotel during their residency and often accompany housekeeping, kitchen and engineering staff behind the scenes to get a sense of the workings behind a five star luxury hotel. Artists produce a new body of work following the residency which is presented at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins in the following years. The work is often influenced by the stories they hear from staff, their exposure to the rooms before/during/after visitors and of course the incredible views from the upper floors. Sometimes artists use materials discarded by the kitchen or engineering crews to make their new work. Resident artists have included: Anne Zahalka, Donna Marcus, Andre Hemer, Bruce Reynolds, Robyn Stacey, Gosia Wlodarczak and Gerry Wedd.
See the past Artist-in-Residence artists and their projects
Find out more about exhibiting at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins