Bendigo Art Gallery has unveiled the first major artistic commission for its $45 million redevelopment, revealing a large-scale façade artwork by Dja Dja Wurrung, Yorta Yorta, Baraparapa and Wemba Wemba artist Aunty Marilyne Nicholls.
Titled Woven, the 20-metre-wide artwork will form part of the exterior of the gallery’s new View Street building, placing First Nations cultural expression at the centre of one of regional Victoria’s most significant cultural infrastructure projects.
Inspired by Nicholls’ coil-weaving practice, the design translates handwoven forms, textures and rhythms into architectural scale. Once complete, it will become a permanent public landmark and a visible expression of First Nations culture in central Bendigo.
“Part of my weaving practice is spending time quietly connecting with Country, especially the waterways where the weaving grasses grow,” said Nicholls. “I hope this work inspires conversations amongst people about plant fibres, traditional practice, biodiversity and environmental issues.”
Inside the ambitious gallery
While the façade will become the building’s most visible feature, the redevelopment inside Bendigo Art Gallery marks a major shift in scale, purpose and programming.
A second-floor exhibition space will allow the gallery to stage larger touring shows and major international exhibitions, significantly expanding its ability to attract visitors from across Victoria and interstate.
A new learning and engagement centre will sit at the heart of the building, designed to strengthen partnerships with schools and community groups. It will include dedicated workshop spaces and a theatrette, positioning the gallery as both an exhibition space and an active cultural learning hub.
Families will also gain a dedicated children’s gallery, signalling a stronger focus on early cultural engagement and hands-on creative experiences.
Art, architecture and Country
Also, one of the most significant additions is a dedicated Traditional Owner Place of Keeping for Dja Dja Wurrung cultural materials. The space will ensure cultural belongings, knowledge and stories remain embedded within the institution, not displayed at its edges.
Together, these changes reposition the gallery as a multi-layered civic space, as an exhibition venue, education centre and cultural repository.
Moreover, Gallery Director Jessica Bridgfoot said Nicholls’ work helps ground the new building in its surrounding landscape. “We are thrilled to have Aunty Marilyne’s work adorning our new building. It brings a beautifully organic and playful quality to the geometry of the View Street architecture, and grounds the building within the surrounding gardens.”
Funding and delivery
The City of Greater Bendigo is delivering the largest civic infrastructure project it has ever undertaken, strengthening the gallery’s role as a leading regional cultural institution.
Funding includes $21 million from the Victorian Government, $9 million from the City of Greater Bendigo, $4 million from the Bendigo Art Gallery Board and more than $9 million in philanthropic support.
Once complete, the expanded gallery will generate around $35 million annually for the local economy and support approximately 170 ongoing jobs. Construction will also create around 260 jobs during the build phase.
Cultural and economic impact
Mayor Thomas Prince said Woven reflects the broader significance of the redevelopment. “This landmark artwork is a powerful expression of culture, connection and creativity that will inspire residents and visitors alike and create a lasting legacy for future generations.”
With construction underway and reopening scheduled for 2028, Bendigo Art Gallery’s transformation is set to reshape not only its physical footprint but its role within the region.
Woven offers an early glimpse of a gallery designed to operate at a larger scale—one that connects art, education, First Nations culture and community within a single, integrated civic space.
