Explore Melbourne Life at the City Gallery
Tucked into the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, the City Gallery offers a unique window into the city’s past, present, and creative spirit. Despite its central location, the gallery is a hidden gem—supremely accessible yet curiously tucked away within the Swanston Street façade of Melbourne Town Hall. Two large street-facing windows display the current exhibition, hinting at the artistic discoveries within.
What’s showing at City Gallery Melbourne
Currently on display at the City Gallery is On The Street Where I Live: Viva Gibb’s portrait of North and West Melbourne, a fascinating exhibition celebrating the work of social documentary photographer Viva Gibb.
Running from 5 March to 7 August 2026, the exhibition features more than 200 black-and-white photographs capturing everyday life in North and West Melbourne from the 1970s to the 1990s. Gibb’s compassionate lens focuses on the small, often overlooked moments of community life—neighbours chatting on porches, local shopkeepers at work, and families going about their daily routines.
Alongside the photographs are personal albums and reflections from author Helen Garner and photographer Ruth Maddison, offering deeper insight into the people and neighbourhoods that inspired Gibb’s remarkable work.
Viva Gibb
Kerrie visited the official opening of this fascinating exhibition at the City Gallery, and found it incredibly insightful.
“The free exhibition celebrates the work of photographer Viva Gibb, who was well known around North and West Melbourne. Born in Bobinawarrah in country Victoria, she moved to the city to study art—first painting, then photography—and went on to document everyday life in these inner-city neighbourhoods.”
“There are some wonderful stories shared behind the photographs. One of the most interesting is learning that in the 1970s she shared a house in West Melbourne with author Helen Garner, with both women raising their children there as single mothers.”
– Kerrie
About Melbourne City Gallery
The City Gallery presents free, quarterly exhibitions that explore city life through a range of media. Artworks and artefacts drawn from the City of Melbourne’s Art and Heritage Collection form the backbone of these displays, while specialist curators—often collaborating with contemporary artists and filmmakers—offer fresh perspectives on what it means to live, work, and play in Melbourne.
Though compact, the Melbourne City Gallery thrives as both a mirror and a sponge for urban life. Visitors are encouraged to drop in four times a year, spend around 20 minutes, and immerse themselves in the stories, objects, and images that capture the essence of Melbourne life.
Love learning about Melbourne’s history? Book our City Laneways Tour: Under the Clocks
Chris’ review
Every time I visit the City Gallery, I’m struck by how much it reveals about Melbourne’s history and character. It’s a small space, but the exhibitions are thoughtfully curated and always leave me noticing the city in new ways.
Visiting Melbourne City Gallery:
- Location: Melbourne Town Hall, 110 Swanston Street, Melbourne, (03) 9658 9658
- Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm
- Closed: Weekends and public holidays
- Cost: Free entry
- Access is at ground level
Whether you’re a local or visiting Melbourne, the City Gallery is a perfect stop for a brief cultural interlude that sparks curiosity and connection with the city around you.
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