Melbourne-based artist Santosh Mahale is preparing to unveil his latest exhibition Birdseye Victoria at Montsalvat in Eltham, expanding his much-loved Birdseye series to capture the breadth and beauty of his home state.
This new chapter sees Mahale collaborate with fellow Melbourne artist Mia Emily, whose fascination with the natural world complements his own. While Mahale paints from above, offering sweeping perspectives that blend cartography with the energy of cities and landscapes, Emily looks closer to the ground, focusing on the delicate presence of birds that inhabit those same spaces. Together, their works create a dialogue between movement and stillness, distance and detail.
Mahale said he looks forward to sharing his work in one of Victoria’s most atmospheric artistic spaces, describing Birdseye Victoria as a celebration of the everyday beauty of his home state and a natural fit for Montsalvat’s creative setting.
Through Mahale’s aerial compositions and Emily’s intimate studies, visitors are invited to see Victoria anew—as both a lived environment and a thriving ecosystem where every bird and every place tells a story. From Melbourne’s familiar skyline to regional parks and coastal sanctuaries, their combined works trace a visual journey through the state’s shared habitats.
Montsalvat, Australia’s oldest continuously operating artist colony, provides a fitting backdrop for the exhibition. Its hand-built architecture and leafy courtyards have long inspired artists to reflect on the relationship between creativity, community, and the environment—ideas that sit at the heart of Birdseye Victoria.
Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm, Montsalvat welcomes visitors to explore the exhibition as part of its wider creative program. Admission to the grounds includes access to all current shows, with proceeds supporting the care and preservation of this heritage-listed site.
Located at 7 Hillcrest Avenue, Eltham, Montsalvat can be reached by car or via Eltham Station on the Hurstbridge line, followed by the #582 bus.
Birdseye Victoria opens soon at Montsalvat, Eltham. Entry to the exhibition is free, though regular Montsalvat grounds admission applies.
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