What if a dairy farm transformed into a hub for modern art? That’s exactly what happened here at Heide Sculpture Park. This place isn’t just a park. It’s a living testament to Australian art history.
Heide Museum of Modern Art is located in Bulleen. It is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Established in 1981, the museum displays modern and contemporary art. It spans three buildings. The buildings are set within sixteen acres of heritage-listed gardens. Of course, there is also the amazing sculpture park.
The story of Heide begins with John and Sunday Reed. They were passionate supporters of modern Australian art. In 1934, they purchased a dairy farm. They named it Heide. The name was a nod to the Heidelberg School. This was an impressionist art movement that thrived nearby.
Heide quickly became a gathering place. Young modernist painters flocked here. They became known as the Heide Circle. Names like Sidney Nolan and Albert Tucker frequented this sanctuary. Joy Hester and John Perceval were also regulars. They often stayed in the Reeds’ farmhouse. This farmhouse is now known as Heide I. These artists are now considered some of Australia’s best. They were leaders of the Angry Penguins. This was a modernist art movement. The Reeds co-published a journal with poet Max Harris. This journal carried the name Angry Penguins. Heide’s art collection reflects its close ties to this movement.
Between 1964 and 1967, the Reeds built a new residence. It was called Heide II. It is now considered a prime example of modernist architecture in Victoria. In 1980, the Reeds sold most of Heide. They also sold significant art to the Victorian Government. This was to establish a public art museum and park. In 1993, Heide III was added. This was a purpose-built gallery. Andrew Andersons designed it.
Heide sits on land with a rich indigenous history. This is evident in the scarred tree at the top of the property. It is called Yingabeal. In colonial times, the site was a grazing property. It also functioned as a dairy farm. Artists and writers were drawn to the Yarra River. They liked the surrounding hills east of Melbourne. This led to the Heidelberg School. Other artist colonies formed nearby like Montsalvat.
In 1935, the Reeds moved into the farmhouse. They created a unique private library. It included modernist literature and international art books. Heide became a hub for progressive art and culture. The Reeds welcomed like-minded individuals. Sidney Nolan lived at Heide for almost a decade. He painted his Ned Kelly series in the farmhouse dining room. That was between 1946 and 1947.
The Reeds commissioned David McGlashan to design Heide II. They wanted a sense of mystery and romance. They envisioned it as a gallery to be lived in. Heide II was constructed out of Mount Gambier limestone. The Reeds moved into Heide II in 1967. Sunday Reed then established the second kitchen garden near the new house.
The Reeds returned to Heide I after selling Heide II. They sold most of the property to the Victorian State Government in 1980. The government aimed to create a public art gallery. It was to be named Heide Park and Art Gallery. Heide II was modified to become a public art gallery. It opened in November 1981.
Today, Heide Museum of Modern Art operates as a non-profit. It is overseen by a Board of Directors.
In 2005-2006, the museum underwent major redevelopment. Sculptural installations were added. The gardens were redesigned. A new education center and gallery space were built.
Heide consists of several detached buildings. They include surrounding gardens and parklands. Heide I is the original farmhouse. It showcases exhibitions from the Heide Collection and Archive. Heide II is a modernist masterpiece. It displays works from the Heide Collection. Heide III is the largest gallery wing. It includes the Central Galleries and the Tucker Study Centre. The Sidney Myer Education Centre hosts educational programs.
The sixteen acres of landscape have been developed over decades. They include a sculpture park with over forty sculptures. There are also heritage-listed gardens.
As you explore Heide Sculpture Park, remember its history. It is a place where art, architecture, and nature intertwine. It’s a testament to the vision of John and Sunday Reed. Their legacy continues to inspire artists and visitors alike.