TopSpace StudioGallery

A dedicated community for photography and film in Hobart's CBD

TopSpace StudioGallery sits at the heart of Hobart's cultural landscape, located on the top floor of 109 Elizabeth Street in the Tasmanian capital. Housed within a purpose-designed studio space accessed via Fast Forward Digital, the gallery has established itself as an essential venue for contemporary photography and film practice in southern Tasmania. The intimate, top-floor setting creates a distinctive environment for experiencing visual art, away from the bustle of street level yet deeply embedded in Hobart's creative community.

Since its inception, TopSpace has cultivated a reputation as more than a traditional gallery. It functions as a living laboratory where professional artists and practitioners converge to investigate the language of photography and film, exploring both historical and emerging ideas surrounding these time-based media. This collaborative ethos distinguishes TopSpace from conventional exhibition spaces, positioning it as a hub where theory and artistic practice intersect.

Photography and film as a field of enquiry

TopSpace's curatorial focus is specifically centred on photography and film as fields of artistic and intellectual investigation. Rather than presenting photography as a single aesthetic tradition, the gallery champions diverse explorations of the medium—from documentary and experimental approaches to conceptual investigations of the photographic image itself. This commitment to breadth and depth reflects the gallery's understanding that photography and film are not static forms but evolving languages capable of addressing contemporary questions about vision, time, representation, and memory.

The gallery's commitment to these mediums extends beyond passive viewing. By hosting exhibitions that challenge conventional ways of seeing and thinking about photography and film, TopSpace positions itself as a venue for critical discourse. Artists exhibited at the gallery work across various photographic and filmic traditions, encouraging visitors to engage with work that ranges from traditional darkroom practice to digital innovation, from documentary realism to abstract experimentation.

A year-round program of exhibitions, workshops and seminars

TopSpace maintains an active calendar of exhibitions, screenings, workshops, and seminars that keep the gallery alive with fresh perspectives throughout the year. The varied programming structure ensures that both established and emerging artists have opportunities to present their practice, while audiences have regular reasons to return. Beyond exhibitions, the gallery offers workshops and seminars designed to deepen engagement with photography and film—providing hands-on learning, critical discourse, and spaces for artistic experimentation.

The venue also operates an artist residency program, inviting practitioners to spend focused time developing work and engaging with the Hobart creative community. Additionally, TopSpace's studio space is available for hire, making it a versatile resource for the broader artistic ecosystem. Special events and talks complement the core programming, creating pathways for audiences ranging from curious beginners to advanced practitioners to connect with the medium and with one another. This comprehensive approach transforms the gallery into a multifaceted creative institution rather than a static exhibition space.

A studio-gallery hybrid serving artists and audiences

What sets TopSpace StudioGallery apart is its integrated model combining functional studio space with exhibition and education facilities. This hybrid identity allows the gallery to operate as both a production site and a presentation venue—visitors may encounter work in progress as well as finished exhibitions, blurring the traditional boundaries between studio and gallery. The working studio environment invites a more intimate, experimental engagement with photographic and filmic practice than conventional white-cube galleries typically offer.

For visiting photographers, filmmakers, and enthusiasts, TopSpace provides a rare opportunity to experience photography and film within an active creative studio setting. The gallery actively invites connection with the artistic community and welcomes those seeking to deepen their understanding of contemporary photographic practice. Whether attending a screening, participating in a workshop, engaging in a seminar, or simply encountering an exhibition, visitors interact with a living, working space dedicated to advancing the language and practice of photography and film.

Planning your visit to Elizabeth Street

TopSpace StudioGallery is located on the top floor of 109 Elizabeth Street, Hobart, with entry accessed via Fast Forward Digital. The CBD location makes it readily accessible to those exploring Hobart's cultural precincts, and its position within a working creative building adds to the authenticity of the artistic environment. The gallery maintains an active exhibitions schedule throughout the year, and information about current and upcoming shows, workshops, talks, and special events can be accessed through the gallery's website and social media channels.

For those interested in deeper engagement, TopSpace welcomes visitors to sign up for news and updates via email, ensuring you won't miss upcoming exhibitions or opportunities to participate in workshops and seminars. Whether you're a serious practitioner seeking community and professional development, a photography and film enthusiast keen to encounter innovative contemporary work, or simply curious about how Hobart's creative community is investigating visual media, TopSpace offers a welcoming and intellectually stimulating space in which to explore.