We all know that including art in a project adds something special — an individual layer that elevates any environment. A visit to the Melbourne Art Fair (MAF) this year was the perfect place to see, experience and acquire that distinction.
The 19th edition of MAF this year welcomed 20,987 visitors, up 22.3 per cent from 2025, with Champagne Bollinger VIP Preview and Vernissage attendance increasing by more than 50 per cent. Total artwork sales reached a record $16.4 million, underscoring the continued strength and appeal of collecting contemporary art.
With an extraordinary range of paintings, sculptures and objects on display from more than 60 of Australia’s best galleries and Indigenous-owned art centres, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) came alive with record crowds engaging deeply with the Fair’s diverse offerings.
Beyond the booth presentations, MAF’s expanded program ensured there was more to see than ever before.
The debut of FUTUREOBJEKT, a collectible design salon bringing together 20 of Australia’s leading designers and studios, highlighted the depth of talent shaping the nation’s creative future. Installations of furniture, lighting and objects drew sustained attention, affirming the growing intersection between art and collectible design.
Participating designers included Adam Cornish, Adam Goodrum, CHRISTOPHER BOOTS, Dalton Stewart and Annie Paxton, Dean Norton, Don Cameron, OIGÅLL Projects, Tom Fereday, Twenty Twenty and Volker Haug, among others.
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Melbourne Art Fair Commission, the Fair marked the return of the inaugural 2006 commission by the Melbourne Art Foundation in partnership with the National Gallery of Australia. Cosmo McMurtry by Aotearoa/New Zealand contemporary artist Michael Parekōwhai was revisited in an act of reflection and renewal, reinforcing the long-standing ambition of the commissioning program.
The Richard Parker Award 2026 was presented to sculptor Hany Armanious and Fine Arts, Sydney.
Broached Commissions transformed the VIP Lounge into a garden of respite, featuring living floral installations by Hattie Molloy complemented by soundscapes from Tom Bridges (k8 mo55), K5 and Bang & Olufsen. The steady crowd was testament to the success of this immersive environment.
Meanwhile, the Champagne Bollinger Bar, designed in collaboration with Melbourne Art Fair ambassador Brahman Perera, became a social focal point, offering a refined setting for conversation and celebration.
While Melbourne Art Fair 2026 has concluded, its impact will resonate with visitors, collectors and exhibitors for months to come. For those who missed it, 2027 is already shaping up to be essential viewing — a reminder of the calibre, confidence and creative ambition present across Australia and beyond.
