Image supplied: Toni Maticevski
Melbourne Art Fair, the flagship event of Melbourne Art Week, is showcasing over 40 leading galleries through exhibitions, events, talks, performances and workshops, presenting works by some of the newest and most respected contemporary artists from Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia.
Designer extraordinaire Toni Maticevski has been named the 2018 ambassador alongside a few other fashion elite personalities. We sat down with Toni to find out how art festivals such as this fuels his creativity and what must-attend events can’t be missed.
Congratulations on being named an Ambassador for the Melbourne Art Fair. Why are you excited about representing and spreading the word about this festival?
TM: Thank you, it’s pretty exciting to be appointed Ambassador of such a well-regarded industry event. Melbourne Art Fair is more than just an event to me, though, it’s a great melting pot of talent and an opportunity for all to view (and also purchase) works from some exciting artists. I have a deep appreciation for the arts in Melbourne, and the MAF is a great alignment for me and the Maticevski brand.
As a leading Australian fashion designer, do events such as this help fuel your creativity?
TM: Of course they do! Inspiration is all around at the Melbourne Art Fair. Seeing a piece of art that resonates and moves you, this can be drawn upon for future collections and work. Art always has been and always will be a great watershed for creativity.
Crowds of 20,000 are expected to visit the Melbourne Art Fair over its five-day tenure, why do you think this attraction is able to capture the attention of the masses?
TM: Art allows us to express ourselves and gain a deep understanding of the world around us. It has the ability to gather individuals and build communities around a shared experience.
Image supplied: Phillip Adams BalletLab EVER photo Jeff Busby
Do you have your eye on a few must-attend events?
TM: The Melbourne Art Fair opening night Vernissage is definitely a must-attend event. A winter evening of art, wine and live performance, the Vernissage is the first chance to view and purchase the work of the region’s most exciting artists. Phillip Adams BalletLab and the McMahon Contemporary Art Award is another highlight of the program, timed to coincide with the Melbourne Art Week festivities. The Award exhibition will take over the truly stunning Temperance Hall in South Melbourne. The wonderful thing about an art fair is its ability to galvanise a city. Melbourne Art Fair is set to enliven its new home in the Southbank Arts Precinct and the city, with over 50 events across 30 venues, so I would encourage readers to check out as much as they can.
In your own words, can you tell our Fashion Weekly readers why they should attend the 2018 Melbourne Art Fair?
TM: There is nothing like an art fair to give people a great, broad education on the art market. It’s a very relaxed and unintimidating way of meeting people who work in galleries, as well as artists. If you are time poor like I am, Melbourne Art Fair is the perfect setting to view work from the region’s most exciting artists, all under one roof.
Owned and presented by Melbourne Art Foundation, a not for profit organisation established in 2003, Melbourne Art Week will run from 30 July – 5 August 2018 and Melbourne Art Fair from 2-5 August 2018.
For further details please visit melbourneartfair.com.au & melbourneartweek.com.au
