BAAG is privileged to operate in one of the most culturally significant regions for art in Melbourne, often referred to as the Valley of the Arts. The two most important Australian art movements, the Heidelberg School and the Angry Penguins, originated in this area. Heide Museum of Modern Art, which is just across the park from BAAG is an iconic art venue.
BAAG has placed emphasis on the arts and creativity in response to this location, and also the passion of the proprietors and some staff for the arts. This has enabled us to develop a unique identity, atmosphere and experience at BAAG.
One way of furthering those aims is shown by incorporating an increasing array of artworks in the structural fabric of BAAG and adopting a creative approach everything that we do.
The following are some examples of embedded artworks throughout BAAG, with links to descriptions for many of them
At the front of Bulleen Art & Garden
The front of BAAG is a colourful celebration of local artists that stretches for over 100 metres. It started with an overall concept and fence design by Akira Takizawa in 1995 and has been continually evolving since then. More than 8 local artists have been involved in creating this work. It makes a statement about who we are as well as contributing to the identity of our precinct.
The following shows the evolution of the front and the artists involved.
Overall concept Akira Takizawa
Monumental Fence – recycled metal
Akira Takizawa 1995
Ceramic Mural , 3*5m Meredith Plain 1995
Yellow Metal Mural Recycled metal & paint Jodie Nunn & Lachlan Plain 2003
Colour innovations for front fence,
Jodie Nunn & Lachlan Plain, 2006
Bulleen Art & Garden entrance sign Justin Purser, 2006
Sculpture with signage Justin Purser, 2006
Entrance – The Kitchen Garden Walk through the Edible Parterre 2007
A coloured concrete path, following a vine with a pebble mosaiced stem and leaves studded with hand crafted ceramic vegetables, leading to the entrance to Bulleen Art & Garden. This walkway is lined with edible plants.
Overall concept – Joy Froebel
Coloured path with pebble mosaics Crafted Landscapes –
Ceramic vegetables – Meredith Plain
The four gardens were designed and planted by 4 senior nursery staff
Ceramic Tile Murals – I’ll get the titles! Giuseppe Raneri. Installed 2007
“Simon Woke”, freestanding mural Lachlan Plain. Dec 2009
Rose the Tortoise, Fibre Glass sculpture Lachlan Plain & Colleen Burke, 2010
Still life with Fruit I, Fibre Glass sculpture Lachlan Plain, 2014
Still life with Fruit II, Fibre Glass sculpture Lachlan Plain, 2016 https://gallery.baag.com.au/?p=3173
Chook cylinders Meredith Plain 2016
Bollards. Recycled metal, laser cut designs Tim Read, 2018
Inside Bulleen Art & Garden
Artworks are dotted throughout throughout BAAG. If there is a new project we will usually commission an artist to add an individual mark. They are there to entertain out visitors, but also get them thinking – about sustainability and the environment, as well as gardening.
Bolin Bolin Gallery Sign and ceiling panels by sculptor Nicola Hoyle 2015
Sculpture Garden Fence and Sign by sculptor Nicola Hoyle 2017 https://gallery.baag.com.au/?p=3479
“The Final Journey of Pedro Piscator” 11 x 5m mural Lachlan Plain 2011 https://gallery.baag.com.au/?p=402
For the past century the wily adventurer, Pedro Piscator, has been tinkering in his wharf-side workshop, building a vessel to escape the looming environmental devastation. The ship is powered by melody, charting a sonata through the sky. Towed behind is a floating island, a conservatory of sorts upon which Piscator has collected the most singular of species, rescuing them from a sullied Earth.
“Habitat Tree”, https://gallery.baag.com.au/?p=1346
Ceramic sculpture installation Meredith Plain, 2008
”Bunjil”, metal sculpture Joel Medley 2013
Symphony In Bee Minor mural Lachlan Plain 2011
Pink Mural , Lachlan Plain, 2011
Possum Slide, ceramic sculpture & fibre glass slide,Meredith Plain 2010
Blue Dinosaur mural, Jodie Nunn 2009
Flower Mural Paul Kalemba 2009
Hand cut metal signs around nursery Justin Purser 2004 to 2008