Unveiling A Bold and Ambitious Public Art Collection Curated by Craft.

[Melbourne] A bold and ambitious contemporary art collection is now centre stage in Docklands – featuring some of Australia’s leading artists. Over two years in the making, Craft Victoria (Craft) curated and project managed the development and delivery of this significant collection of commissioned artworks of varying scale and materials. Embedded into a new residential development – Home Docklands – the artworks give shape to the next generation of the Docklands precinct, expanding its place as a cultural destination. Presenting works from 14 contemporary Australian artists across both public-facing and interior spaces, the Home collection was carefully curated by Craft through the organisation’s consultancy services, Craft Agency. Highlights of the collection include four large-scale, site-specific external public art commissions and one significant internal commission by renowned artists Alexander Knox, Jamie North, Meagan Streader, Vipoo Srivilasa and Marta Figueiredo. “As the vision for Docklands continues to take shape, partnerships play a key role in helping to deliver strong outcomes for residents, workers and visitors. As a long-term supporter of Craft Victoria, the Allan Labor Government is proud to back this commissioning program which has brought incredible art to the Docklands while showcasing the powerful role creativity can play in urban renewal.” – Minister for Creative Industries, Colin Brooks MP.

Artwork Highlights

• Water Spirit (Vipoo Srivilasa): A 3.2 metre tall friendly sculpture with oversized bunny ears greets visitors entering Marvel Stadium from La Trobe Street. This playful spirit figure celebrates Melbourne’s river systems while symbolising inclusivity, joy and community connection.
• Time Talker (Alexander Knox): Positioned at Marvel Stadium’s forefront, this striking stack of blue mussel shells references Docklands’ rich ecosystem history, evoking the ancient shell middens and wetlands of the Birrarung (Yarra Delta).
• Drift (Jamie North): Nine bronze rock sculptures integrated with native Australian plants span La Trobe Street. Modelled from blast-furnace slag, these pieces resemble volcanic formations and reflect the natural topography of the site.
• Quietly Flowing (Meagan Streader): A multi-dimensional light installation weaves its way across Home Docklands’ southern façade. This work is inspired by the Yarra River and surrounding waterways and projects a subtle welcoming glow.
• River of Mists and Shadows (Marta Figueiredo): A vibrant installation in the Home Docklands lobby combines sculptural pendants, mist-like fabrics and an evocative soundscape to reflect the Yarra River’s vitality and natural beauty.
• The interior art collection curated for Home Dockland includes works by Australian artists such as Zaachariaha Fielding, Huseyin Sami, Grace Wood, DREZ, Ryan Hoffman and Lilli Waters, installed across the shared spaces.

Craft worked closely with Home, the artists, and their project teams, including Urban Art Projects (UAP), Meridian Sculpture and Tilt Industrial Design, to design, develop and install this series of integrated public artworks, with the intention of broad community engagement while creating a sense of place. Docklands is one of Australia’s largest urban renewal projects led by Development Victoria in partnership with the Victorian Government and the City of Melbourne. This bold and ambitious art collection brings new energy to the precinct, sparking new connections and discoveries for residents and visitors alike.

This project marks Home’s first-ever public art commissioning initiative, a significant milestone in their dedication to cultural innovation and community enrichment. “We are delighted to celebrate our collaboration with Craft Victoria which has endured for more than five years. By bringing together diverse artworks that speak to our residents from all walks of life, we’re creating more than just a collection – we’re contributing to the cultural fabric that makes our spaces vibrant and meaningful,” said Christian Grahame, Head of Home. This project was managed through Craft’s consultancy services, Craft Agency – working with Australian artists and makers to produce innovative creative projects.

Learn more about this project and Craft Agancy’s services at craft.org.au/agency/