Design-led hotel collection, Ovolo, is collaborating with Melbourne contemporary art gallery MARS and Sydney based arts consultancy Soda Arts to curate a compelling art pop up exhibition throughout the eclectic spaces of Ovolo 1888 Darling Harbour, including the penthouse suite 'Stirred', from 13 - 15 June, 2019.

Infusing art and history, Ovolo 1888 blends together modern design with rich heritage, bringing a new and exciting boutique hotel experience to Sydney's Darling Harbour. The hotel boasts artwork by Sydney artist Jasper Knight, known for his artistic indications to Sydney Wharf and Harbour. Knight's iconic 'machinery' and 'old factory' vibe incorporated with wild blocks of colour keeping the history of this iconic Sydney building alive.

The pop-up will feature artwork and installations from 21 contemporary Australian artists for guests and art lovers alike. The exhibitors include established artists represented by MARS Gallery, alongside a selection of compelling emerging practitioners, such as; Chris Bennie, Harriet Body, Lars Breuer, Erin Coates, Korban/Flaubert, Lyn&Tony, Jane McKenzie, Hitesh Natalwala, Paula do Prado and Datsun Tran.

'Pop-up In A Penthouse' is an opportunity to experience exceptional contemporary Australian art in an unconventional and alluring setting. Guests and visitors will be welcomed by a series of anthropomorphic sculptures scattered throughout the foyer by artist Aly Aitken. At once familiar yet foreign, Aitken's work explores the persistence of memory (or the debilitating feeling of losing it completely) through her life-sized assemblages.

The journey of discovery continues into the guest rooms with a range of paintings, sculptures and video work on display. Sophia Hewson is a multidisciplinary artist who generates ways of speaking about the body, which are alternatives to patriarchal ideology encoded in art, law, language and economy. She will present a series of oil on board works.

Ovolo will also embrace its tongue-in-cheek approach to life with a cheeky video-art installation by Hannah Raisin. The shocking yet light-hearted piece pokes fun at preconceptions of 'being a lady' and features a frozen strawberry protruding from the risk-taking artists' bottom.

Ovolo Founder and CEO Girish Jhunjhnuwala is proud for Ovolo Hotels to be a part of this journey of art in Sydney, illustrating the company's support for art and events such as The Other Art Fair and The Affordable Art Fair which support up and coming artists. 

“'Pop-up In A Penthouse' is just the innovative and experiential event Ovolo loves! MARS Gallery and Soda Arts, have been so supportive in helping us continue to push the boundaries and to disrupt the hospitality industry, challenging the perception of hotels. We're fusing dining, effortless accommodation and art galleries, bringing art to life at Ovolo. Our guests and the local community will always be surprised and inspired with out of the box experiences,” said Jhunjhnuwala 

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Dropbox link to images:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8y6mnnnbk9qtich/AAC9z4PcOzYbAC10nrtTO8f0a?dl=0

Note to Editor:
Hotel guests and VIP's are invited to an opening night preview from 6.30 – 8pm Thursday 13 June and for two full public days Friday 14 and Saturday 15 June from 12pm – 9pm.

Guests can wander through Ovolo 1888 Darling Harbour to see new work by an eclectic mix of contemporary Australian artists. Free of charge.

Artists
The design hotel will also exhibit Stephen Haley's latest video work Fugue State. The techy piece explores the space of contemporary world cities and was composed over a year using 3D modelling software, with each scene painstakingly crafted to be a virtual sculpture or simulated film set. When asked what the video is about the artist only half-jokingly replies “It is about what happens when you die. Or maybe, search the internet. Or fall into a reverie. Or how we live now.” The video will be on display on a bedroom television screen, giving each visitor the opportunity to experience a world-class work of art.

A moment of quiet and calm will be provided by oil paintings from respected Melbourne painter, Allan Mitelman and continues with the small but mighty paintings by Tony Lloyd, which hold a cinematic majesty in their representation of snow cover mountains from the artist's recent pilgrimage to Switzerland.

Grant Stewart creates drawings using a robotic device, code and the humble biro pen. The results are impossibly delicate compositions that celebrate the convergence of analogue and digital technologies.

Penelope Davis will take over the 'fishbowl' suite with her swarm of Jellyfish. Hand made from silicone casts of hard rubbish, the Frankenstein-like sculptures seduce us into a world, under the sea, which upon close inspection reminds us of our diabolical disposable culture.

Dani McKenzie, a Sydney artist now based in Melbourne, creates evocative paintings from found photographs.

About Ovolo Hotels

Founded by Girish Jhunjhnuwala in 2002, Ovolo Hotels has become one of Hong Kong's largest independent owner operator hospitality firms, by providing business and leisure guests with the best in effortless living. The company keeps in touch with the modern traveller through award-winning interior designs, detail-driven comforts, focused all-inclusive service and cutting-edge en suite technology, all done in Ovolo Hotel's signature style.  A proud Hong Kong brand, Ovolo Hotels remains a family-owned and privately operated business with a charitable core. The company now runs four hotels in Hong Kong, and six hotels across Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane.  Ovolo Hotels has also recently launched a new brand Mojo Nomad in Central, which opened in September 2018, and in Aberdeen Harbour Hong Kong, which opened its doors in December 2017. Mojo Nomad is a co-habitation concept for global nomads that combines travel, lifestyle and community at its core and will be entering the Australian market in the near future.

ovolohotels.com

About MARS Gallery

MARS Gallery was established in February 2004 by founder/ director Andy Dinan and has earned a reputation as one of Melbourne's most exciting and diverse commercial art galleries. MARS specialises in exhibiting, promoting and building the careers of emerging – to mid-career contemporary Australian artists.

marsgallery.com.au

About SODA ARTS
Based in Sydney, Soda Arts is a curatorial consultancy founded by Danielle Robson that works across the private and cultural sectors developing and delivering arts projects. Soda Arts connects artists with organisations, audiences with experiences, and people with ideas. 

sodaarts.com.au