In Dialogue: A Curated Collection for 11 Stewart Street

11 June

Written By Sarah Weston

In-Building Art

Melbourne, Victoria

Curation
Design Development
Engineering Certification
Delivery & Installation
Public Art
Mixed Cultural First Nations Artist Lisa Waup
City of Melbourne
WRAP

WRAP was engaged as curator for the art collection at 11 Stewart Street, developing a bespoke commissioning and curatorial strategy that responds to Richmond's rich history of making, industry and creative production.

Rather than pursuing a large-scale collection, the project focused on the careful selection and commissioning of two significant artworks, each designed to exist in conversation with the building, its context and one another. Through a considered curatorial approach, the collection demonstrates how a small number of thoughtfully integrated works can create a powerful sense of place and identity.

The curatorial framework drew inspiration from Richmond's industrial past, exploring the area's long-standing associations with textile production, timber yards, manufacturing and craftsmanship. These histories of making informed the selection of artists Makiko Fujino and Hannah Hall, whose practices share a deep sensitivity to materiality, process and the transformation of everyday materials through skilled handwork.

Working closely with WRAP, both artists developed bespoke works specifically for the site. While distinct in form and medium, each artwork responds to the broader narrative of Richmond's creative and industrial heritage, creating a layered dialogue between past and present, handcraft and contemporary practice.

Importantly, the commissions were conceived not as individual artworks occupying separate spaces, but as complementary works designed to speak to one another. Material references, spatial relationships and conceptual themes were carefully considered throughout the commissioning process, resulting in a collection that feels cohesive, connected and deeply embedded within its architectural setting.

WRAP's role encompassed curatorial strategy, artist identification and commissioning, concept development, stakeholder engagement, fabrication coordination and installation oversight. Through close collaboration with the artists and project team, we ensured each work contributed meaningfully to the identity of the building while maintaining the integrity of the artists' individual practices.

The resulting collection offers a refined and thoughtful response to place—one that celebrates Richmond's enduring culture of making while demonstrating the value of carefully curated artistic dialogue within the built environment.