The first thing I spied when I crossed the threshold of the Melbourne Art Fair last night was a giant mural of one of Del Kathryn Barton’s illustrations from her new publication from Art & Australia, Del Kathryn Bartons' The Nightingale and the Rose (the words, of course are by the magnificent Mr. Oscar Wilde). You will remember our ongoing love affair with Del from DF Issue #30 (where she graces the front cover), and Marc Whiteway’s stunning video on her life and practice.

Del Kathryn Barton is a Painter from Dumbo Feather on Vimeo.

The Melbourne Art Fair isn’t all about Del Kathryn Barton, however. It’s a heady mix of visual media: the entire Royal Exhibition Building crammed-full of contemporary offerings from some very well known names (my personal favourite – Sophie Calle), and some really engaging, newer emerging artists – with much encouraging representation from artist-run initiatives, alongside the larger commercial galleries.

I was excited to pick up a back-issue of Discipline magazine, and to chat briefly with one of their editors about contemporary arts practice criticism, of all things (they represented themselves there, in what appeared to approximate the “publications hall” – a section of the exhibition well worth spending some time and money in).

So, If you’re interested in sampling a light and diverse degustation of contemporary art, and are perhaps in the mood to pick up an investment or two, get along to the Melbourne Art Fair – it’s on until Sunday 5th August – tickets and more information here.

Header Image: Wild Thing by Troy Emery.

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