Tarrawarra Museum of Art has opened the doors to its new cultural hub designed by Kerstin Thompson Architects (KTA) in collaboration with landscape architect Oculus, and Wurundjeri horticulturalist and artist Craig Murphy-Wandin. It joins a collection of historically signficant buildings by Graeme Gunn and Allan Powell on the property in Melbourne’s Yarra Valley.
The new centre, whose design was first unveiled in November last year, provides art storage and visual access to over 300 artworks from the museum’s permanent collection. It also includes flexible and adaptable spaces for exhibitions and events, such as workshops, lectures and concert performances, of up to 200 attendees.
Behind the building’s 46-metre-long secure glass wall, a system of 64 art storage racks showcases a selection of stored artwork donated by the late Eva and Marc Besen, after which the centre is named. According to a statement from Tarrawarra Musueum of Art, the innovation means that “the general public will have year-round viewing access to a curated selection of works by some of Australia’s most significant modern and contemporary artists.”
Director of KTA Kerstin Thompson said that along with the museum’s collection, Tarrawarra’s aspirations to foster artistic exploration, enrich cultural life and promote intellectual engagement motivated the architectural response of the new centre.
“The new building, the Eva and Marc Besen Centre, has always been understood as a companion building to the actual museum,” Thompson reflected. “We intended for the museum to still be the main event, and the new building seen as a complement to that. In that regard, how the two buildings relate to each was a big part of the consideration of the qualities of our architecture.”
A new sculpture walk connects the centre to the existing museum, framing views of the Yarra Valley. The outdoor walkway features sculptures from the permanent collection: acclaimed modern artists.
Associate director of Oculus Claire Martin noted that the landscape design is centred around creating a dramatic arrival sequence that celebrates the site’s Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung landscapes and culture.
Accessible to the public from 8 March, the Eva and Marc Besen Centre will host a range of activities in partnership with Arts Project Australia across the opening weekend.
