Soaring 80 storeys above the city, The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne is a stunning landmark deeply connected to the ancient stories and vibrant cultures of this creative city. Designed by architects Cottee Parker with interiors by acclaimed designers BAR Studio, the hotel reflects the city’s rich cultural tapestry, incorporating influences from its Indigenous story, European heritage and vibrant artistic life.
Anchoring these stories is The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne’s extensive original art collection. BAR Studio worked closely with Mark Chapman, founder of Chapman & Bailey, to establish a collection that would express the many stories and layers of the city and add to the richness of the guest experience.
On The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne’s ground floor entry, guests are greeted by works from some of the country’s finest First Nations artists: from Maree Clark’s bronze door handles cast from traditional welcome necklaces of reeds and feathers, to the vivid Reko Rennie painting that combines Kamilaroi iconography with stylised graffiti art, and a four panel work by Dr Christian Thomson AO. Ceremonial poles by Djirrirra Wununmurra provide a fitting prelude to the Level 80 express lift that transports guests to the sky.
The hotel’s vertical journey continues its tribute to Melbourne’s art and culture. The public spaces and venues on levels 1 and 2 are enlivened with bold contemporary works, from striking installations by Geoff Nees that sit at the intersection of art and architecture to vibrant works by seminal Melbourne artists such as Sally Smart, Lara Merrett and Mira Gojak. Throughout the hotel, guests can take in iconic black and white prints by photographer Fabrice Bigot, and a gold paste-up mural by Robert Scholten. On level 80, the mood is urban and contemporary, perfectly captured in the Jon Cattapan painting that dominates the lobby and the Ash Keating diptych in the guest lift lobby.
In celebration of these deep artistic roots, The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne has for the first time partnered with the Melbourne Art Fair, held from 22 to 25 February at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Following its move to an annual summer model, the 2024 program promises to be the most ambitious in the Fair’s rich 35-year history, with over 100 artists showcasing a dynamic array of interdisciplinary practices, performances, moving-image art, conversations, immersive installations, and works of scale and significance presented by over 60 leading galleries and Indigenous art centres. This year’s curated program, themed “ketherba/together,” reflects a commitment to showcasing significant work from both emerging and iconic artists.
The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne collection comprises over 1,000 artworks – from over 40 different artists including emerging local talent and acquisitions from icons such as Roger Kemp and Jon Cattapan. Says Rowena Hockin from BAR Studio “In designing The Ritz-Carlton, we drew on Melbourne’s reputation as an art city. We envisaged the hotel spaces as a platform for guest experiences enriched by art and were fortunate to have an opportunity to bring together a collection of works from some of the significant local contemporary artists to tell the story of the city’s past, present and future.”
Says Rachael Harman, “Melbourne is a creative city and soon as you step into The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne, you are immersed in a world of art and design. We are immensely proud of the art and the artists that enrich our guest experience and speak to the local cultural landscape. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate our love of art than with our partnership with the Melbourne Art Fair, a progressive forum for the art and ideas of today.”
