Oud Art Gallery

Oud Art Gallery: Contemporary Art on Collins Street

Oud Art Gallery sits at the heart of Melbourne's prestigious Collins Street, occupying a Victorian heritage building dating back to 1870. This artist-owned and operated gallery stands as Melbourne's only artist-run venture on one of the city's most coveted cultural addresses, making it a distinctive landmark for both local art enthusiasts and international visitors. The gallery's location within the city's business and cultural precinct positions it as an accessible destination for those seeking authentic contemporary art in a heritage setting.

As a contemporary art gallery in Melbourne, Oud Art brings together original paintings and one-of-a-kind drawings created across the world, each piece capturing emotion, place, and time. The gallery's philosophy centres on creating art to uplift the soul, reflecting a commitment to meaningful artistic expression that resonates with collectors and visitors alike. This approach distinguishes Oud Art from conventional galleries, anchoring it firmly within Melbourne's vibrant contemporary art scene.

A Global Drawing Collection from Twenty-Plus Cities

At the core of Oud Art Gallery's collection lies a remarkable curatorial achievement: original works drawn and painted across more than twenty international cities including New York, Paris, London, Tokyo, and Melbourne itself. Each artwork represents a unique piece created on location and documented in real time, ensuring authenticity and immediacy in every work. This global approach to contemporary art collecting sets the gallery apart, offering patrons access to realist and figurative pieces that transcend geographical boundaries while maintaining profound local connection.

Beyond the established art capitals, Oud Art has recently expanded its collection to include significant works from Sydney and Singapore, further broadening its international reach. This commitment to capturing art from diverse global locations means that visitors to the Melbourne gallery encounter not just Australian contemporary art, but a curated window into how artists across continents perceive and interpret their worlds. The breadth of this collection appeals to collectors seeking distinctive contemporary art with genuine provenance and cultural resonance.

Daily Drawing Project: Documenting Melbourne's Reopening

Since 2022, Oud Art Gallery has undertaken a once-in-a-generation artistic project: daily drawing on location around Melbourne as the city emerged from unprecedented lockdowns. This living exhibition captures the spirit of the world's most locked-down city as it comes back to life, creating a visual record of resilience and renewal. The project has deliberately focused on the three industries most profoundly affected by pandemic restrictions—sport, hospitality, and art itself—documenting their revival through figurative and realist artwork that speaks to shared experience.

This ongoing initiative transforms Oud Art from a static display space into an active creative practice, with the gallery serving as both studio and exhibition venue. Visitors witness not just the finished works, but become part of an artistic narrative that documents Melbourne's cultural and economic recovery. The project's emphasis on capturing specific moments in real time creates a sense of immediacy and authenticity that resonates deeply with those who lived through Melbourne's isolation.

Artist Recognition and Cultural Partnerships

Oud Art Gallery operates under the leadership of a VAS Award-winning artist, an honour of considerable significance within Australian artistic circles. The VAS Award, established in 1870 by celebrated Australian artists Tom Roberts, Frederick McCubbin, and Arthur Streeton, remains one of the country's most prestigious recognitions, conferred by the Crown through the Governor of Victoria. This institutional recognition underscores the gallery's commitment to artistic excellence and positions it within Australia's distinguished creative heritage.

The gallery's partnerships extend across prestigious local and international organisations including Melbourne Fashion Week, The Australian Ballet, Melbourne Opera, and prominent international brands. These collaborations with cultural institutions, society organisations, and lifestyle brands reflect Oud Art's integration into Melbourne's broader cultural ecosystem. Such partnerships enhance the gallery's profile while creating unique opportunities for collectors and visitors to engage with contemporary art within diverse contexts and communities.

Visiting Oud Art Gallery: Hours and Access

Located at 495 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Oud Art Gallery welcomes visitors on Friday and Saturday afternoons from 3pm to 9pm, with private appointments available throughout the week. The gallery's flexible opening structure accommodates both casual drop-in visitors exploring Collins Street's cultural precinct and serious collectors seeking dedicated viewing time. For those unable to visit in person, the gallery operates a 24/7 online platform, ensuring access to its contemporary art collection across Australian and international time zones.

Prospective visitors can contact the gallery on +61478881976 or explore the full collection online, making it straightforward to discover works before planning a physical visit. Whether seeking original realist and figurative paintings for a collection, or simply exploring Melbourne's contemporary art landscape, Oud Art Gallery offers an intimate, artist-curated experience within one of the city's most iconic cultural addresses.