Hyatt House South Melbourne, Australia’s first Hyatt House hotel, has partnered with renowned Melbourne art advisor Sophie Moshakis to present a striking multi-level exhibition featuring original works by seven local artists. The curated collection transforms the hotel’s public spaces, from the lobby through all four guest floors, into a living gallery that celebrates Melbourne’s vibrant creative energy.
With the city long hailed as Australia’s cultural capital, the inaugural exhibition brings together a dynamic group of Melbourne-based artists: Sam Octigan, Jamie Edward, Maddison Kitching, Nanou Dupuis, Max Lawrence White, Sean McDowell and Oliver Lucas, working across painting, sculpture, paper and digital-based media.
“This collection transforms the lobby into a curated gallery that weaves contemporary art into the fabric of the hotel experience,” said Christian Sujer, General Manager at Hyatt House South Melbourne.
“From arrival through to every floor, it invites moments of reflection and celebrates the city’s artistic spirit.”
The art experience begins with Slolam, a commanding piece by Sam Octigan that anchors the hotel’s ground-floor lobby. As guests move throughout the building, each level reveals new selections and interpretations of themes, including the human condition, technology, nature, and our place within the world, turning a stay at Hyatt House South Melbourne into a self-guided exploration of Melbourne’s artistic landscape.
“Our goal has always been to make guests feel connected to the neighbourhood, and now, they can feel that connection while being surrounded by Melbourne’s creative spirit. The city’s creative energy is part of what makes it so special – we wanted that to be felt as soon as you step through our doors,” added Christian.
Sophie Moshakis, Head of Sophie Moshakis Art Advisory, highlighted the careful selection of over 65 original artworks to reflect the artists’ exceptional practices and material focus.
“From abstract paintings by Max Lawrence White to expansive works by Jamie Edward, each piece enlivens the hotel’s spaces uniquely, and no two floors are the same. We hope guests will fall in love with the art and take a piece of Melbourne home with them.”
By working directly with local artists and Sophie Moshakis, Hyatt House South Melbourne is creating opportunities for guests to encounter art in unexpected ways. Whether staying for a week or a month, the evolving collection sparks curiosity, conversation, and a deeper connection to the city.
The initiative marks the beginning of a rotating art program at the property, with future exhibitions planned and all works available for purchase. As part of the global Hyatt House offering, known for its welcoming and residential feel, this local-first approach sets a new standard for how hospitality and art can seamlessly intersect.
Featured Artists:
Sam Octigan is an Australian-born artist whose practice both revels in the pleasure of exploring the qualities of paint and pursuing the mastery of the craft. His energetic canvases express a fascination with form, texture and composition, while thematically exploring culture, media, communication and representation.
Sean McDowell is an emerging, German-born artist based in Melbourne (Naarm). Working across painting, drawing and exhibition-making, McDowell’s practice is inspired by his interests in biology, microscopy, neuroscience, psychology and spirituality. His abstract works are located at the intersection of art and science, drawing on subject matter that has been informed by collective narratives and lived experiences of disease and illness.
Jamie Edward blends his passions for science and design to create artwork that reflects our deep connection with the world around us. Originally from Melbourne (Naarm), he draws inspiration from his life in Tasmania, which has shaped his exploration of the natural and built environments, technology, human connection, and the significance of place.
Nanou Dupuis is a Belgian-born, Melbourne (Naarm) based artist. Her art practice surveys the interchangeable boundaries between the sculptural nature of painting and the painterly aspect of sculpture. Dupuis’ sculptural painting practice has developed through studying at the Belgian Academy of Fine Arts, Saint Luc University, Belgium and completing a Master of Public Art from RMIT University in Melbourne.
Maddison Kitching is an emerging artist based in Melbourne (Naarm) whose work investigates human relationships with the natural world. Kitching unpacks everyday symbols representing animals and plants seen in architecture, pop culture, science and literature using painting, collage and sculpture.
Max Lawrence White is a Melbourne (Naarm) based artist whose practice is primarily concerned with painting. His practice centres on colour and its tendency to be inexhaustible within its combinations, readings and meanings. Through his works, he aims to present an unconventional experience and a challenge to how the viewer perceives colour.
Ollie Lucas is a multidisciplinary Melbourne (Naarm) based artist known for his vibrant and immersive works that draw inspiration from colourful advertising and neon cityscapes. His work centres on his creative take on the industrial function of coloured flags and signals that direct the travel of trains, planes, and ships, known as semaphores.
