Melbourne’s City of Bayside has 17 kilometres of picturesque coastline on Port Phillip Bay. From the early days of European settlement, its cliff tops and beaches have provided inspiration for writers, sculptors and painters.
In spite of urbanisation, the area has remained much as it did when some of Australia’s most famous paintings, notably form the Heidelberg School of artists, were created.
Bayside City Council has given the Australian public the chance to further appreciate these masterpieces ‘in their natural habitat’ via the Bayside Coastal Art Trail.
The first phase of the Trail features 12 works of the Heidelberg School completed during summer artist camps held along the coast between 1886 and 1907. Artists include Streeton, Roberts, McCubbin and Conder.
The history of the artists’ camps has been carefully researched with trail signboards placed at the exact locations in which the artists stood 100 years ago.
People can note changes that have taken place over time as well as experience the works ‘come to life’ as light changes throughout the day.
Council is committed to extending the art trail to include all parts of the Bayside coastline. Research on the second phase of the trail is almost complete. It will feature artists such as Arthur Boyd and Clarice Beckett.
Many of these artists were residents in the area for periods in their lives. Paintings along this section of the trail will feature more contemporary scenes, including Clarice Beckett’s 1933 ‘Sandringham Beach’, celebrating the area’s colourful bathing boxes.
Many of the signboards also feature historic photographs. Residents are often surprised to see a photo from the 1920s depicting people picnicing beside their T Model Fords parked on a beach that is now part of a protected marine habitat!
For further information contact Melissa Rogers, Urban Design Coordinator (03) 9599 4444.
