2026 Melbourne Sculpture Biennale
Announcement posted by Melbourne Sculpture Biennale 23 Sep 2026
Melbourne Sculpture Biennale returns from 8-25 October 2026. The much-loved contemporary sculpture exhibition has been reimagined for Billilla Mansion and offers an expanded free program that encourages audiences of all ages to experience, engage with and respond to sculpture in new ways.
This purposefully curated exhibition features site-responsive sculpture and installation by artists Andrew Atchison, Lauren Berkowitz, Francis Carmody, Mikala Dwyer, Hannah Gartside, Mira Gojak, Bronwyn Hack, Naoise Halloran-Mackay, Lou Hubbard, Kait James, Christopher Langton, Jenna Mayilema Lee, Chris Madden, Beth Maslen, Glenda Nicholls, Nabilah Nordin, Nicholas Smith, Sebastian Temple, Isadora Vaughan and Paul Yore.
MEDIA RELEASE 9 September 2026
Following the success of its inaugural edition in 2024, which attracted more than 3,000 visitors across just five days, Melbourne Sculpture Biennale returns this spring for its second edition. Presented throughout Billilla's house and gardens over three weeks, Melbourne Sculpture Biennale 2026: Soft Systems brings together a thought-provoking group of twenty contemporary artists.
Inclusivity and access are central to this year's public program, which includes artist talks and curator-led tours, alongside dedicated access programs including Auslan tours led by Deaf artist Luke D. King and an immersive tactile tour for blind and low vision audiences.
For younger audiences, the program features Little Lookers: Babies' Hour and Bayside Art Babies, designed especially for babies and their carers; while Connections: Art + Dementia, supports meaningful engagement with art for people living with dementia.
Visitors are encouraged to make a day of their Biennale experience. Coffee cart refreshments will be available on site, offering visitors the chance to pause and enjoy
this unique exhibition and the historic surrounds. For something more substantial, consider the cafes and restaurants in nearby Church Street.
Further information about Melbourne Sculpture Biennale 2026, including the full public program and event schedule, is available on the newly relaunched website: www.melbournesculpturebiennale.com
Media Preview
We warmly invite you to attend our exclusive preview of the exhibition on Monday 5 October, 12-1pm, with Melbourne Sculpture Biennale Directors and Curators Adam Stone and Laura Couttie.
Please RSVP your attendance to info@melbournesculpturebiennale.com Quote from MSB Directors, Adam Stone and Laura Couttie:
Quote from Bayside Mayor, Cr Debbie Taylor-Haynes:
"Billilla Mansion is a cherished historic mansion in Bayside. By hosting the Melbourne Sculpture Biennale, council is opening this extraordinary site to artists and the public in a way that celebrates creative expression, history, and community. This immersive exhibition celebrates Billilla through artistic endeavour and brings a preeminent cultural experience to Bayside."
About Melbourne Sculpture Biennale
Melbourne Sculpture Biennale was founded in 2024 to champion artists working in the medium of sculpture, and to offer a voice and visibility for contemporary sculpture here and now. Founding directors Adam Stone and Laura Couttie intend for the Biennale to generate increased support and opportunities for contemporary sculptural practice.
About Melbourne Sculpture Biennale 2026: Soft Systems
Melbourne Sculpture Biennale 2026: Soft Systems brings together twenty artists who engage critically with the intertwined systems that shape our contemporary world. Across sculpture, installation and site-responsive works - with a focus on new works created in response to the specific site and context of Billilla Mansion - the artists employ diverse strategies to interrogate these systems and their impact on people, culture and the environment.
Exhibiting artists: Andrew Atchison, Lauren Berkowitz, Francis Carmody, Mikala Dwyer, Hannah Gartside, Mira Gojak, Bronwyn Hack, Naoise Halloran-Mackay, Lou Hubbard, Kait James, Christopher Langton, Jenna Mayilema Lee, Chris Madden, Beth Maslen, Glenda Nicholls, Nabilah Nordin, Nicholas Smith, Sebastian Temple, Isadora Vaughan and Paul Yore.
"We are thrilled to bring contemporary sculpture to Billilla Mansion this October. Our accompanying programs have been thoughtfully designed to create meaningful opportunities for people across our diverse community to experience and engage with contemporary art. We hope the Biennale sparks curiosity, inspires new perspectives and
encourages lively conversations."
Melbourne Sculpture Biennale 2026 is proudly presented with the support of our Principal Partner, Bayside City Council.
Exhibition Details
Exhibition title: Melbourne Sculpture Biennale 2026: Soft Systems Exhibition dates: 8-25 October 2026
Open hours: Thursday to Sunday, 11am-5pm
Location: Billilla Mansion, 26 Halifax Street, Brighton
Entry: Free
Public Program details and schedule
Selected images from Melbourne Sculpture Biennale 2024
Media Contact
For further information, or to request images or media interviews, please contact:
Adam Stone and Laura Couttie
Melbourne Sculpture Biennale Directors
+61 424 258 477 (Laura)
For queries regarding Billilla Mansion and Gardens please contact:
Andrew Maclean
Bayside City Council
0466 519 088 media@bayside.vic.gov.au