MELBOURNE.- Melbourne Art Fair, Australia’s premier international visual arts event returns to the World Heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens, Melbourne from 30 July – 3 August 2008.

Over 3,000 contemporary artworks including Paintings, Works on Paper, Sculpture, Photography to Digital Media and Video, will be showcased under one roof at the 11th Biennial Melbourne Art Fair 2008.

More than 900 artists will be represented by over 80 leading national and international galleries from all states and territories of Australia; as well as from New Zealand, China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Switzerland, Germany and Ireland during the 4-day event.

Whether you’re a casual art fan, serious collector or fine art student there really is something for everyone. Mingle with like-minded people at the Vernissage opening night first preview cocktail party or soak up the atmosphere at some of the city’s grooviest bars when they host an art night as part of the Chandon Art Bars program.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll through galleries exhibiting an expansive collection of contemporary art from across the Asia Pacific region and beyond. Expand your education with a free Guided Tour. Take advantage of the unique opportunity to engage with artists and curators at the free Lecture and Forums. Visit the Project Rooms where you can experience works from some of the world’s finest emerging artists. Join the Collectors Program or witness the unveiling of the Artist Commissions – 2008 will see works commissioned by two prominent Australian Artists.

Rarely is such a diverse collection of artists from so many countries represented under one roof. Melbourne Art Fair offers artists and galleries alike the opportunity to exhibit work on a significantly larger scale than the gallery setting; and in turn gives the public a fantastic chance to view and purchase quality artwork by some of the best Australian and international emerging and well-known artists working today.

Exhibiting artists include: Brook Andrew (Aust), James Angus (Aust), Billy Apple (NZ), Lyndall Brown & Charles Green (Aust), Daniel Buren (France), Ian Burns (Aust), Martin Creed (UK), Li Dafang (China), Hayden Fowler (NZ), David Griggs (Aust), Claire Healy & Sean Cordeiro (Aust), David Hookey (Aust), Callum Innes (Scotland), Silvana & Gabriella Mangano (Aust), Samuel Namunidja (Aust), Tomoko Sawada (Japan), Julie Rrap (Aust), Sally Smart (Aust), Louise Weaver (Aust), Ai Weiwei (China).

The Project Rooms include: Damiano Bertoli (Aust), Jonas Dahlberg (Sweden) and Pat Foster and Jen Berean (Aust) curated by Mark Feary; Centre of Contemporary Photography Melbourne; Gertrude Contemporary Art Spaces; Joint Hassles; Next Wave Festival, The South Project; Kyungah Ham (South Korea); and, Anne Zahalka (Aust) at Sofitel Melbourne.

One of the highlights of Melbourne Art Fair is the commissioned works, which are positioned within the Royal Exhibition Building and gifted to an Australian institution at the conclusion of the Fair. In 2008 two prominent Australian artists have been commissioned to realise large-scale works that will be unveiled during the 4-day event. 2006 saw contemporary New Zealand artist, Michael Parekowhai create Cosmo, amonumental inflated rabbit sculpture standing 8m high x 5m wide, later gifted to the National Gallery of Victoria.

All components of Melbourne Art Fair directly benefit the work of living artists. Over it’s 20-year history, the Fair has generated a wealth of national and international commercial and critical attention for artists and galleries. The 2006 Fair was attended by over 26,000 people and provided living artists with over AUD $6M from sales. Presented by the Melbourne Art Fair Foundation – a not-for-profit organisation with its primary goal being the promotion of contemporary art, the ethical representation of living artists and raising awareness of artists working today– the Melbourne Art Fair is a breakeven event that takes no revenue from the sale of artworks.