The art collection for Fitzroy & Co speaks to two overarching themes developed from the history and context of the local area and a sense of community and eclectic creativity and edge of Fitzroy. Every work in the collection is by a Melbourne-based artist, supporting and celebrating diverse local perspectives.

From the outset, our curatorial approach was guided by the idea of art as a connector — a way to ground the building in its context and to offer those who encounter it a sense of belonging. Working closely with the project team, we identified moments throughout the interiors where art could shape experience: creating thresholds, anchoring gathering spaces, and sparking moments for both reflection, joy and curiosity.

Alongside the selection of key existing works, we commissioned a series of bespoke pieces, developed in direct response to the site. These include of stitched and sourced textiles by emerging artist Hannah Hall that echoes the textures of Fitzroy’s industrial textile past and histories embedded within repurposed garments. A large photographic print by beloved Melbourne duo ‘The Huxleys’ captured just around the corner at the iconic McDonalds brings a sense of joy and playfulness to the record lounge.

The result is a collection that is at once diverse and cohesive — a tapestry of voices, mediums and narratives that reflect the complexity of Melbourne itself. By embedding these works into the fabric of Fitzroy & Co, the collection transforms the building into a site of cultural resonance, where the city’s past and present are brought into conversation through the work of its artists.