14 May 2014
Australia's talented emerging artists will be given the chance to transform the historic Windsor hotel into a captivating art space and win a $10,000 art award as part of a collaborative exhibition “Marvel” with the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) and Melbourne's landmark hotel.
Opening on Melbourne Day 30 August until September 14, the exhibition will feature artists from the VCA (School of Art) at The University of Melbourne who will creatively exhibit conceptual and material interpretations of Marvel in many of the hotel's unique spaces including the heritage listed lace iron lifts, Victorian windows, renowned tea room and even a once secret hotel entrance.
A highlight of the exhibition will be The Windsor Art Award that will provide a $10,000 scholarship to the recipient. Marvel has significant relevance for Melbourne, The Windsor and the VCA with its numerous historical and contemporary connotations of wonder, admiration and astonishment.
”The Windsor is thrilled to show our ongoing support for philanthropy and the arts by awarding some of Australia's greatest emerging talent. The Windsor is synonymous with Melbourne and the opening of Marvel on Melbourne Day is one way in which we can pay tribute to our vibrant city and “Marvellous Melbourne”, said Mr Adipoetra Halim, Hotel Director of the Halim Group, owner of The Windsor.
The exhibition highlights the partnership between two of Melbourne's most cherished institutions that share a combined history of more than 280 years. In 2017, the VCA School of Art will celebrate 150 years since the establishment of its predecessor, the National Gallery School. Established in 1883, The Hotel Windsor is Australia's oldest Grand hotel and is one of the world's most revered hotels of Victorian architecture, pre-dating The Savoy in London, Raffles in Singapore, the Ritz in Paris and The Plaza in New York. Past and present notable guests include Vivien Leigh, Sir Laurence Olivier, Sir Robert Helpmann, Katharine Hepburn, Gina Lollobrigida, Lauren Bacall, Rudolf Nureyev, Margot Fonteyn, Gregory Peck, Meryl Streep, Barry Humphries, Royalty and a long list of Australian Prime Ministers.
The Windsor Art Award is open to graduate students at the VCA School of Art undertaking BFA (HONS), MCA, MFA or PhD studies.
For media queries contact:
Chantal Hooper (The Hotel Windsor)
0404 340 585
Tango Public Relations
03 9654 8098
