Galleries and Installations

Coles Book Arcade - Melbourne Museum - 2008

Another part of the new Melbourne Story gallery, the Coles Book Arcade was a less realistic and more interpretive installation job than Little Lon. The use of cast aluminium architectural fixtures along with printed self adhesive vinyl were cleverly incorporated to create a feel of what might have been present in the actual Book Arcade, sadly burnt to the ground in the first half of the 20th century.

The familiar rainbow design of the Coles Funny Picture Book forms part of the front and rear of the Arcade along with an ornate awning. Inside, scenic painting, distorting mirrors along with prints taken from the book evoke the quirky atmosphere that must have been evident in this amazing book shop.

Show Works used self adhesive vinyl printed with a stylised book motif to give the feel of overstocked book shelves along with a forced perspective upper gallery, wood grained and decorated in the style of the original store. Show Works art installation sevices extend to all areas of design and finishing.