Where to buy affordable art in Melbourne & beyond
- Leah M Mariani
- Oct 12, 2022
- 2 min read
Are you looking for affordable and cool artwork but don't know where to find it? I often get asked where to buy affordable art in and around Melbourne. Many people feel intimidated to walk into an empty, sterile commercial gallery. Or else they don't have the time to drive all around town. So I've put together a cheeky little list to save you time and money.
DIRECT FROM THE ARTIST
If you have an artist you have seen on Instagram or other social media, contact the artist directly. Don't be shy! Artists love to be contacted by potential investors. Most galleries charge the artists 30% - 50% commission on any art sales, so do the artist a favour and go direct.
COMMERCIAL GALLERIES
There are so many fantastic and affordable art galleries around Melbourne. Don't be afraid to go inside and speak to the gallerist about what you like. They usually represent a wide selection of artists and have more to offer than what's on display. Some affordable art galleries in Melbourne and beyond are:
- Art to Art (North Balwyn)
- Forman Art (Burwood)
- Manyung (Malvern, Sorrento, Mount Eliza & Flinders)
- Flinders Lane (Melbourne CBD)
- Gallery Smith (North Melbourne)
- Tacit (Collingwood)
- Linden New Art (St Kilda)
- Sophie Gannon (Richmond)
- Eagles Nest (Aireys Inlet)
ONLINE GALLERIES
There are a number of reputable on-line galleries that support independent artists and accept returns from buyers. They periodically have sales, so sign up to newsletters to find out when they are. Art Lovers Australia and Bluethumb support local artists and offer limited-edition prints.
- ArtLovers Australia (Australia)
- Bluethumb (Australia)
- ArtPharmacy (Australia)
- SaatchiArt (Worldwide)
ART PRIZES
Emerging art prizes are a great way to discover an up and coming artist. They may also offer something different and unexpected. Here are just three of the emerging art awards in Australia:
- Linden Postcard Show (St Kilda)
- Omnia Art Prize (Toorak)
- Lethbridge 10,000 Small Works (Brisbane)
ART FAIRS
Art fairs are a good way to see a lot of art in one spot. Many schools host art fairs to raise money. Some affordable art fairs in Melbourne include:
- The Other Art Fair (Melbourne & Sydney)
- Affordable Art Fair (Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane)
- Albert Park Collage Art Show (Albert Park, Vic)
- Grammar Art Show (Toowoomba, Qld)
About the author
Leah Mariani is a Melbourne artist, making art about womanhood and childhood, with a feminist twist. She has her own blog about art, fashion and. feminism. You can follow her art on Instagram @leahmarianiartspace. For more information on what's on near you sign up to art-news here.
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Affordable art? Yes, please! It’s such a relief to see more options popping up for those of us who love art but don’t want to break the bank. If you want more high-quality options, check out this contemporary art for sale. They have a variety of works by renowned artists at fair prices, and their range of modern and contemporary art gives you plenty of choices to fit any budget. You’ll find something that speaks to you, for sure.
This article is fantastic! I had no idea there were so many affordable art galleries in and around Melbourne. It’s great to see a focus on supporting local artists. I’m definitely planning to check out some of these spots and maybe even visit an art fair soon. Leah Mariani’s work looks intriguing too!
I love the idea of reaching out to artists directly! It feels more personal and authentic. Plus, knowing that you're potentially helping them avoid hefty gallery commissions makes it even better. This list of galleries and online platforms is super helpful, especially for someone like me who's just starting to explore the art world. Thanks for sharing these tips!
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