If you are looking for a place where you can explore the works of some of Australia’s most influential modern artists, wander through a lush and scenic garden, and enjoy a delicious meal in a cozy and stylish café, then you should visit the Heide Museum of Modern Art. The Heide Museum of Modern Art, or simply Heide, is a hidden gem in the suburb of Bulleen, just 20 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD. Heide is a museum, a gallery, a sculpture park, and a cultural hub that celebrates the legacy and the spirit of modern art in Australia.
In this guide, we will take you through the history, the collections, and the attractions of Heide, and give you some tips and recommendations on how to make the most of your visit. Whether you are a fan of art, nature, or culture, you will find something to love and admire at Heide.
History of Heide
Heide has a rich and fascinating history that spans from the early 20th century to the present day. It started as a private home of John and Sunday Reed, two visionary and passionate patrons of Australian art and culture. The Reeds bought the property in 1934 and transformed it into a haven for artists, writers, and intellectuals. They invited and supported some of the most talented and innovative artists of their time, such as Sidney Nolan, Albert Tucker, Joy Hester, Arthur Boyd, and others. These artists formed the Heide Circle, a group that shaped the development and the direction of modern art in Australia.
The Heide Circle created some of the most iconic and influential artworks of Australian art history, such as Nolan’s Ned Kelly series, Tucker’s Images of Modern Evil series, Hester’s Mother and Baby series, and Boyd’s Bride series. These artworks reflect the themes, the styles, and the challenges of modern art, such as expressionism, surrealism, abstraction, and social commentary. They also tell the stories, the emotions, and the relationships of the artists and their patrons, such as love, friendship, betrayal, and tragedy.
In 1980, the Reeds donated their property and their collection to the public, and Heide became a museum. Since then, Heide has expanded and evolved, adding new buildings and spaces, such as Heide II, Heide III, and the Sidney Myer Education Centre. Heide also continues the vision and the mission of the Reeds, by promoting and exhibiting the works of contemporary Australian and international artists, and by fostering a vibrant and creative community.
Collections and Exhibitions of Heide
Heide boasts an impressive and diverse collection of artworks, spanning from the early 20th century to the present day, and representing various movements and genres of modern art. Heide’s collection includes over 4,000 artworks, such as paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, and installations. Heide also hosts temporary exhibitions, showcasing the works of local and international artists, both emerging and established, and reflecting the diversity and dynamism of modern art.
Some of the highlights of Heide’s collections and exhibitions are:
Ned Kelly series by Sidney Nolan: A series of 27 paintings that depict the life and the legend of the notorious Australian outlaw, Ned Kelly. The paintings are famous for their bold and stylized representation of Kelly and his gang, using geometric shapes and bright colors. The paintings also explore the themes of identity, justice, and heroism in Australian history and culture.
Images of Modern Evil series by Albert Tucker: A series of 16 paintings that portray the dark and disturbing aspects of modern society, such as war, violence, corruption, and alienation. The paintings are influenced by the horrors of World War II and the post-war era, and use distorted and grotesque figures and symbols to convey the sense of evil and despair.
Mother and Baby series by Joy Hester: A series of 11 drawings that depict the intimate and tender relationship between a mother and a baby. The drawings are remarkable for their expressive and spontaneous use of line and color, and their emotional and psychological depth. The drawings also reflect Hester’s personal experience of motherhood and loss, as she gave up her son for adoption and later died of cancer.
Bride series by Arthur Boyd: A series of 29 paintings that explore the themes of love, sex, and marriage in a modern and urban context. The paintings are inspired by Boyd’s own marriage and his travels to Europe, and use a contrast between light and dark, and between realism and symbolism, to create a dramatic and complex visual narrative.
Sky Mirror by Anish Kapoor: A large and spectacular sculpture that consists of a concave stainless steel disc that reflects the sky and the surroundings. The sculpture is located in the sculpture park, and creates a stunning and dynamic visual effect, as it changes with the weather, the time, and the angle of the viewer.
Attractions and Facilities of Heide
Heide is not only a museum and a gallery, but also a place where you can enjoy the beauty and the tranquility of nature. Heide is surrounded by 15 acres of gardens, featuring native and exotic plants, sculptures, and artworks. The gardens offer a serene and scenic environment for the visitors to relax and enjoy, and also provide a backdrop and a context for the artworks and the history of Heide.
One of the main attractions of Heide is the sculpture park, which features works by prominent Australian and international sculptors, such as Inge King, Clement Meadmore, Anish Kapoor, and others. The sculpture park showcases a variety of forms, materials, and meanings, and invites the visitors to interact and engage with the artworks.
Heide also has a café, where you can enjoy a range of delicious and fresh food and drinks, made with local and seasonal ingredients, and catering to various dietary preferences and needs. The café is located in the original farmhouse, and has a cozy and stylish atmosphere, with a fireplace, a veranda, and a view of the gardens. The café is open from 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday to Sunday, and also offers takeaway and picnic options.
Heide also has a shop, where you can buy a variety of products and souvenirs, such as books, posters, cards, jewellery, and other items, inspired by or related to Heide and its artists. The shop is located in Heide III, and is open from 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday to Sunday. The shop also has an online store, where you can browse and order the products from the comfort of your home.
Tips and Recommendations for Visiting Heide
If you are planning to visit Heide, here are some practical and useful tips and recommendations to help you make the most of your visit:
How to Get There:
Heide is located at 7 Templestowe Road, Bulleen, Victoria, 3105, Australia. You can get there by car, public transport, or bike. If you are driving, you can take the Eastern Freeway and exit at Bulleen Road. Heide has free parking on site, but it can get busy on weekends and public holidays. If you are taking public transport, you can take the train to Heidelberg Station, and then take the bus 903 or 551 to Heide. The bus stop is right in front of the museum. If you are biking, you can take the Main Yarra Trail, which passes through Heide. Heide has bike racks and lockers for your convenience.
When to Go:
Heide is open from 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday to Sunday, and closed on Mondays and some public holidays. You can check the website for the latest opening hours and admission fees. The best time to go to Heide depends on your preferences and interests, but generally, spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons, as the weather is mild and the gardens are in bloom. Summer can be hot and dry, but also offers some special events and activities, such as outdoor cinema and music. Winter can be cold and wet, but also offers some cozy and warm experiences, such as the fireplace and the café. Heide can get crowded on weekends and school holidays, so if you want to avoid the crowds, you can go on weekdays or early in the morning.
What to Wear:
The best clothes and accessories to wear when visiting Heide depend on the season, the temperature, and the comfort, but generally, you should wear comfortable and casual clothes and shoes, that allow you to walk and explore the museum and the gardens. You should also bring some essentials, such as a hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle, to protect yourself from the sun and stay hydrated. You can also bring a jacket, an umbrella, and a change of clothes, in case the weather changes or you get wet or dirty.
What to Bring:
The best items and equipment to bring when visiting Heide depend on your interests, preferences, and needs, but generally, you should bring some things that will enhance your experience and enjoyment of the museum and the gardens. You can bring a camera, a sketchbook, a picnic basket, or a backpack, depending on what you want to do and see at Heide. You can also bring some books, magazines, or games, to relax and have fun at Heide. You can also bring some snacks, drinks, or money, to buy something at the café or the shop.
The Heide Museum of Modern Art is a must-see destination for anyone who loves art, nature, and culture. It offers a unique and inspiring experience that combines the history, the collections, and the attractions of Heide, and showcases the best of modern art in Australia.
If you are planning to visit Melbourne, don’t miss the chance to visit Heide and discover its wonders for yourself. Book your tickets online today and get ready for an unforgettable adventure. You will not regret it. Heide is a place that will stay with you long after you leave.
