BSIDE Gallery

Urban Contemporary Art in Fitzroy

BSIDE Gallery sits on Level 1, 121 Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, VIC 3065, which has become known for its arts and street art culture. The gallery opened in 2016 and operates as a contemporary art space that isn't bound by the usual gallery conventions. It's the kind of place that pushes back against how art gets traditionally shown and viewed. Being on Brunswick Street means it's positioned right at the intersection of Melbourne's street art scene and the broader contemporary art world.

The name 'B-side' nods to music terminology, where the B-side was the lesser-known track on the flip side of records. That concept informs what the gallery exhibits: work that feels authentic, unexpected, and sits outside the mainstream art world. BSIDE Gallery operates as a launching pad for emerging artists while also supporting established ones, so long as they're invested in genuine work and willing to take creative risks.

Contemporary and Street Art Across Different Forms

BSIDE Gallery shows urban contemporary art, street work, abstract pieces, and pop art. The space gave solo shows early on to artists like Crisis (Glen Downey), Silk Roy, Dose, Michael Cain, and Tommy Dassalo, which mattered a lot for their development. It also works with more established figures like Josh Lord, Caper, Will Coles, Said Dokins, Tuyuloveme, and Chaz Bojórquez, mixing local talent with international work.

The exhibitions often blur boundaries between different media. You'll see painting next to ceramics, street art alongside video or multimedia work. Recent shows have drawn on late 90s and early 2000s nostalgia, paired visual work with live music and performance, and tackled personal subjects around identity, healing, and cultural questions. The gallery has also backed First Nations storytelling and artists pushed to the edges of mainstream spaces. That breadth of work makes something pretty clear: BSIDE treats art as something shared and experienced rather than just moved through a market.

A Calendar of Exhibitions, Events, and Artist Applications

BSIDE Gallery, Fitzroy VIC 3065, keeps a steady flow of shows going throughout the year and regularly opens the door to artists keen to exhibit their work in 2026 and beyond. The application process is straightforward, which means if you've got something worth showing, you've got a genuine shot at getting it in front of people.

The space functions as more than just a gallery for looking at art quietly on white walls. They've thrown openings with live DJs spinning, done immersive themed nights, and run artist talks that bounce between topics like Japanese Cubism through to trauma and recovery. They also hire out the space for private events, artist residencies, and other collaborations. That range says a lot about what the place actually is: somewhere art, music, conversation, and a bit of celebration all happen in real time.

What Sets BSIDE Apart: Authenticity Over Convention

BSIDE Gallery cuts through Melbourne's crowded art world by refusing to chase trends. It backs artists doing something real and challenging, not whatever sells. Being in Fitzroy helps, given the suburb's history with street art, but the gallery shows far more than that. You'll find abstract work, conceptual pieces, and pop-influenced stuff all demanding serious thought from viewers.

When it opened in 2016, the timing mattered. Melbourne's creative types were fed up with how the big institutions gatekept their way through the scene. BSIDE figured out how to drop the formal gallery pretence while keeping actual artistic standards. That's harder than it sounds. The upshot is a place that stays open to new ideas without sacrificing quality, which is why new artists use it to get their work noticed and why international artists want to show here.

Visiting BSIDE Gallery and Getting Involved

BSIDE Gallery sits at Level 1, 121 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, VIC 3065. If you want to ring ahead or book the space for an event, the number's 0410 159 383. They've got a mailing list too if you want to stay informed.

Fitzroy's got plenty happening beyond the gallery. Street art, good food, other galleries. BSIDE stands out because it's genuine contemporary art that actually pushes boundaries rather than playing it safe. They take artist submissions via the website, so it's a real pathway if you're getting your practice off the ground. Collectors, art enthusiasts, and the curious alike will find something different from your standard Melbourne gallery scene. This is where people take risks, originality counts, and both Australian and international artists are doing interesting work right now.