Heide Museum of Modern Art
Heide Museum of Modern Art, or just Heide, is a farmhouse-turned-home-turned-gallery-turned-museum. Not surprisingly there are many layers of history, art and culture here. It’s set on 12 beautiful acres of gardens just 20 minutes from Melbourne.
The site has three main exhibition buildings each holding a range of visual art and sculpture. There’s complete wheelchair access to Heide III, minimal at Heide II and pretty good access at Heide I. We were reminded it’s a heritage listed site with heritage listed buildings. The accessibility being what it is, wheelchair users will be offered a ‘limited access’, discounted ticket.
Feature exhibitions are held in Heide III, the contemporary black clad building opposite the café. It’s a contemporary gallery with good sized spaces that flow from room to room. The high ceilings and concrete floors make the work the focus and the exhibitions well curated and considered.
Freewheel Weekend visited during October for ‘The Call of the Avante Garde’ and again in November for ‘Jenny Watson: The Fabric of Fantasy’. We enjoyed the Constructivist work for its graphic nature and colourful bold geometry.
The excellent café is a must, especially if you can nab a seat in the outdoor area on a warmer day. The menu is simple but prepared with care and attention to detail.
Step-free (Heide I and III) / Accessible Toilets (2) (BC, GR)
Good: History and art intertwined
Not so: No access to the sculpture garden
December 2017
Heide Museum of Modern Art
7 Templestowe Rd, Bulleen VIC 3105
(03) 9850 1500
heide.com.au
Accessibility notes