Melbourne Art Fair, one of the biggest events on Australasia’s cultural calendar, returns for four days this February showcasing contemporary art from across the region. From February 22 to February 25, over 60 galleries will exhibit in the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Visitors can see both iconic, well-known works alongside new art from both local and international artists. To support the next generation of art dealers, the Melbourne Art Foundation subsidises booths for galleries established after 2016, allowing them to shine alongside some of the country’s most esteemed names. This year 11 exciting new galleries are on the line-up. Here’s who you can look forward to.

Coma (Gadigal Country/Sydney)

Founded by Sotiris Sotiriou in 2016, Coma began as a contemporary art space showcasing international artists at all stages of their careers and began representing artists in 2022. The gallery has exhibited a diverse range of artists who have gone on to show in major museums, biennales and galleries around the world. At this year’s fair Coma presents a solo show of new works by Shan Turner-Carroll, an Australian artist of Burmese descent who works across photography, sculpture, performance and film.

Day01. (Gadigal Country/Sydney)

Established in 2022, Day01. Gallery’s primary goal is to create meaningful, intimate commercial exhibitions. It collaborates with local and international talent, curators, gallerists and collectors to make evocative artworks that are accessible to the public. Day01. will show new works by London-based abstract painter Damien Meade and New Zealand-based multidisciplinary artist and architect Raukura Turei.

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Five Walls (Naarm/Melbourne)

Five Walls is an independent gallery on the first floor of a converted mid-century arcade in Footscray showing works focused on abstraction, non-objective and reductive practices. The gallery also connects artists, collectors, institutions and the wider community. Five Walls will exhibit new works by PJ Hickman, a UK-born, Melbourne-based abstract painter.

Futures (Naarm/Melbourne)

Futures is a new commercial space in Collingwood developed during Melbourne’s lockdowns. It exhibits work from the city’s local contemporary artists that combines intelligent curation and installation with an irreverent tone that subverts the seriousness associated with commercial galleries. Futures will debut a new solo show by Matilda Davis, who creates fantastical and abstract oil paintings.

Haydens (Naarm/Melbourne)

Since 2018, Haydens has focused on supporting a new generation of artists by facilitating private and institutional acquisitions of upcoming, experimental artists. It also shows established names. Haydens will show new works by Renee Cosgrave, a New Zealand-born, Melbourne based painter whose work explores her Maori culture.

Lon Gallery (Naarm/Melbourne)

Lon Gallery is an artist-led contemporary art gallery that began as a non-profit project space in 2016 supporting emerging artists. The gallery went on to establish a formal program in 2019, and now represents both upcoming and established artists. The Richmond gallery focuses on group exhibitions and curating off-site exhibitions and art fairs. Lon Gallery will present new works by Tia Ansell, a New Zealand-born, Melbourne-based painter.

N.Smith Gallery (Gadigal Country/Sydney)

Since 2021 N.Smith Gallery has been a leader in representing fresh Australian talent. The gallery has held 23 exhibitions, including one at Melbourne Art Fair in 2022. This year, the gallery’s exhibiting a group show with new works by Thea Anamara Perkins, Joan Ross and Sally Scales, along with a moving-image work by Joan Ross.

Nasha Gallery (Gadigal Country/Sydney)

Nasha Gallery’s inaugural exhibition featured an impressive line-up of 20 emerging Sydney- and Melbourne-based artists. The gallery, which opened in 2020, curated several group and solo exhibitions in various locations around Sydney before it found a permanent home in Darlinghurst in 2022. Nasha Gallery will present a new solo show by Mark Maurangi Carrol, a Sydney-based painter whose work is inspired by his childhood in the Cook Islands and Australia and incorporates Cook Islander artistic practices.

ReadingRoom (Naarm/Melbourne)

ReadingRoom was founded in 2018. It invests directly in its artists by representing their work and curating solo exhibitions. The gallery also commissions independent writing, hosts artist talks, organises film screenings and promotes other artistic events. At Melbourne Art Fair 2024, ReadingRoom will exhibit new works from Maggie Brink, an Adelaide-based artist who creates ghostly oil paintings and sculptural works.

The Renshaws’ (Meanjin/Brisbane)

The Renshaws’ offers artists both a studio and living quarters, and organises public programs, professional networking, studio visits for collectors and private shows. The gallery also works with interstate and international art spaces to organise touring exhibitions, and offers an island retreat for artists and curators. The Renshaws’ will show new works by Edwina McLennan, and a large-scale installation by Dane Mitchell.

Void Melbourne (Naarm/Melbourne)

This independent commercial arts space established in February 2022 curates vibrant exhibitions from an ever-expanding roster of artists. Based in a heritage-listed building on Bourke Street, Void Melbourne’s space shows experimental exhibitions each month focused on new and under-represented artists. The gallery pushes boundaries but still aims to curate a refined, museum-like standard of presentation. Void Melbourne will present the latest works by Mark Hislop, and a large-scale installation by Louise Paramor.

Melbourne Art Fairs runs from Thursday February 22 to Sunday February 25. See the full line-up of exhibiting galleries and buy tickets.

Broadsheet is a proud media partner of Melbourne Art Fair.