Docklands and maritime art

Maritime art and maritime heritage really matter – the oceans, ships, trade routes, seafarers, sea life, ports, etc., are inextricably entwined. Throughout history, maritime art has captured this maritime world for us all.

The significance and popular appeal of maritime art is irrefutable. It delights, informs and instructs and gives pleasure to many of us by capturing the ever-changing maritime environment – the movement, the colour, and the light. A high level of artistic skill and understanding is required to convey the unique complexity found in maritime art and this makes maritime art so impressive.

Fortunately, the Docklands community has two excellent opportunities during October to take a close-up look at what has made maritime art so appealing over time.

The first opportunity is the 3rd annual Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network (MMHN)/Offshore & Specialist Ships Australia (OSSA) Children’s Maritime Art Exhibition at Magnet Galleries at The District Centre, Docklands from October 15 to 20.

You are invited to view the wonderful work of your local Docklands students, budding maritime artists who in their own time have created images to share what they see around them in their own unique maritime precinct of Docklands.

Awards for “notable” works selected by a professional maritime artist and will be presented at 3pm on Sunday October 20 on Centre Stage on NewQuay on the final day of the Melbourne Boat Show.

Next up will be the Australian Society of Marine Artists exhibition at the Victorian Artists Society Gallery located on Albert St, East Melbourne on October 27.

MMHN noted with regret that in 2024 the Mission to Seafarers decided not host its annual Maritime Art Exhibition/Competition and Sale – a significant loss to maritime enthusiasts in 2024.

In recognition that this important event allowing the public access to maritime art must not be lost, MMHN together with OSSA joined forces to support the Australian Society of Marine Artists (ASMA) at their forthcoming national exhibition.

We invite the Docklands community to visit the Victorian Artists Society Gallery, 430 Albert St, East Melbourne from Sunday, October 27 at 2pm.

Some in the Docklands community may have observed on North Wharf in May 2024, an ASMA “Paint-Out” where several artists met to capture what they saw on North Wharf.  You will be stunned at their vision and skill.

The Australian Society of Marine Artists is group of diverse artists and others interested in marine and maritime art – painters, lithographers and printmakers, sculptors, model-makers, historians and students.

It is a national organisation, with a broad and inclusive definition to allow a rich mixture of expertise, mediums and interests. MMHN strongly recommends you watch the excellent video: marineartistsaustralia.com.au

Art Trail in Docklands

While MMHN supports investment in public art works, regrettably the art installations in Docklands appears to have overlooked what is the essence of Docklands.

Quoting the brochure about art in Docklands featuring 36 “adventurous and quirky public art pieces,” topics of past and present, land and sea, humanity and technology, the real and unreal and what it is to be Australian. They are at times provocative, designed to ignite passion and lead to friendly debate. See for yourself.

See a more accessible or understandable guide to Docklands precinct art.