If there is one positive side to the recent swathe of lockdowns (other than two weeks of double doughnuts, am I right Melburnians?!), it’s that cities and businesses are now turning to public art as a way to revitalise the deserted streets. We are SO on board with this!

The newest addition to the fold is West Side Palace, which was unveiled today as an ‘artcade’! Art collective Juddy Roller and developer Far East Consortium Australia enlisted contemporary artists Reko Rennie, Rone, Adnate, Lisa King, George Rose, John Aslanidis, Mayonaize and Meggs to contribute works to the project – which sees the retail precinct transformed as an immersive public gallery.

Every available area has been activated as exhibition space, from window displays to shop fitouts. Lisa King pays tribute to the history of female artists with her mural adorning the walls of concept cafe Merriment, while Reko Rennie recognises the Kamilorai people with a vibrant work sprawled across 225 square metres of hoarding! AND Rone has created an entire room as an ode to his knock-out installation project Empire at Burnham Beeches.

The artcade is open to the public now!

West Side Palace ‘Artcade’
250 Spencer Street
Melbourne, Victoria