heide museum of modern art

My wife and I are from interstate and this is our first visit to Heide.The temporary Arthur Boyd Brides exhibit made the trip to the suburbs worthwhile. An outstanding and expansive display of work by this original and iconic Australian artist. The other temporary and permanent exhibits were not particularly interesting though and the sculpture park uninspiring. The gardens are in desperate need of maintenance. The place is looking tired and run down and in need of funds to revitalize it. Wouldn't recommend going unless there is a temporary exhibit you especially wish to see.

I went with a friend who particularly wanted to see the Arthur Boyd "Brides" painting series. I had never heard of them before but will never forget the exhibit and this museum.I took a tram from the city, my friend picked me up, and we drove to the museum (so I don't know how to get here with public transportation). It was a gorgeous summer day, so along with the exhibits in the buildings, we enjoyed walking the grounds and garden, and seeing the sculptures. It's a lovely setting. The Boyd exhibit was noteworthy as it was the first time the series had been shown all together (barring a few that are in private collections). The cumulative effect of seeing the paintings (along with some drawings, studies, and ceramics of the series) was breathtaking. Also showing was a short, award-winning experimental film that had been made by a friend of Boyd's in 1959 featuring images from the paintings, and accompanied by an original song written about the themes found in the works. In the same building, I also enjoyed an exhibit of works by a naive artist identified as H.M. and the story of trying to discover the identity of the artist. There's a lot to see at the Heide, and we didn't get to see it all. I'd love to come back sometime!

This museum and grounds are fantastic. The current exhibition of Arthur Boyd's Brides series is so well documented that even someone like me knowing very little about art was moved and given great insight into the artist and the times he was painting. Apart from this exhibition there are so many interesting things to see, staff are very helpful and the grounds and buildings worth a visit in their own right. The restaurant and cafe food is pretty good but service was very, very slow. They definitely need more staff. Our lunch took two hours to be served and eaten, given it is pretty much a set menu that's terrible. Shame because the food was really good. We had coffee earlier in the outside area and that took 30 minutes to arrive.

I love the gardens, a great modern art gallery close to the city. A place I take international guests when in town, even though the history may seem young to them, I still love it. A great way to interpret the foundations of creative Melbourne.

A great place to explore on your own, with a loved one or with the kids. An amazing story and place. It has some great recent exhibitions and wonderful gardens areas. Make sure you read the history of the property before you get there - we did it on the train ride out..

I had the pleasure of attending a wedding in this simply beautiful location. I didn't have the opportunity to have a good look around so very much looking forward to returning. Food was a little slow coming out but when it did it was delicious. Dessert buffet omg words can not describe AMAZING.. LOOKING FORWARD TO RETURNING

The complex consists of 3 galleries housed in Heide1,2and 3 Heide1 is the original home of John and Sunday Reid , benefactors to many artists The home houses changing exhibitions currently displaying works by Moyà Dyring and some furnishings and a magnificent garden In Heide 2 we viewed abstract paintings by Power . Currently in the modern Heide 3 gallery is a wonderful Arthur Boyd exhibition of his bride series artworks and some landscapes. It is a stunning collection , a tribute to the curator . Enjoy more time here by wandering around the parklands. Sculptures are scattered in the landscape and bird life prolific. And finally Cafe Vue is a great refreshment or meal stop to complete a wonderful day out

Went to the Heide restaurant and had the fish of the day, trout for two and it was nicely done melted in your mouth except I think it should have had two pieces of fish not one. The service could have been a lot better cakes where lovely. You need to book the restaurant not the cafe which is outside but undercover that's nice as well. The museum you need to pay for it. We skipped the gallery there is plenty of art around the grounds. Great vegetable garden. Plenty of parking no parking fee. I would go again.

Yesterday we went to the heide museum. ' Power ' an Australian abstract painter was before a doctor ! He became a very inspired artist. When he was still a little boy, he liked to draw, but his father forced him to become a doctor. After worldwar 1, he had enough of all the blood and misery, and finally did what he always had desired......Moya Dyring, also an Australian artist is worthwhile to visit. Both were for us unknown. We are very glad we visited those two artists. Picasso & other european painters are fameous, but here you meet less known talent.....!

Had the privilege to see a comedy show at heide 2 which is a modernist gem!Highly recommend seeing something a bit left field out there If the opportunity arises...Art, comedy and modernism ... Great combination

Birdsong, late flowering camellias and corrugated iron cows - what a combination. Strolling through Heide's extensive grounds is a pleasure whatever the season. In summer, you can probably nick a cherry tomato or two as you examine the kitchen garden that feeds hungry diners at the Vue Cafe onsite, one of Shannon Bennett's enterprises. It is completely free to wander in the grounds.There are three galleries, two housed in the former houses of John and Sunday Reid and one purpose-built modern space. There is one fee to visit all three - $12 concession and going up from there.I have enjoyed strolling, picnicking, dining and ogling artworks here on many occasions and our visit with a friend from Boston, MA last weekend did not disappoint. This is a great slice of Australian life and culture on the doorsteps of busy Melbourne. Get thee to Heide!

A outdoor museum with vast greens for people to rest and picnic. There are many outdoor art pieces too.There is a cafe which serves decent breakfast;) Highly recommend for families and couples to spend a saturday or sunday;)

Wonderfully situated in the Reed's garden, this gallery never fails to impress. The Mirka Mora exhibition was our reason for visiting, it was fascinating & beautifully set out. We also enjoyed walking through the gardens. A Melbourne treasure, lovingly cared for.

Three galleries based around the homes of the Reed family. The exhibitions are always interesting and well displayed. In this case, the Mirka Mora display was fascinating. Lunch in the Vue Cafe, with food sourced from the original kitchen garden was beautifully presented and tasty. Afterwards a stroll around the grounds to see the garden art. Will definitely visit again.

For me this place, a former farm with added buildings, is most interesting for its role in Australia's cultural history. I aim to go to Heide about once a year, taking any guests who are interested in 20th century art or would like to see more of the riverine land north-east of Melbourne's CBD. Visitors enjoy being able to wander around the grassy grounds, see inside the original (meticulously restored) farmhouse, check out current exhibitions and outdoor sculptures, and experience the Modernism of the later structures. Be wary of precious, romanticising descriptions of Heide as it was. From what I've heard of life in the artistic commune from a man who was part of it, conditions were basic and tough; it was not all aesthetics and glorious wholefoods. Same caution may apply to Café Vue. Last time I tried it, service was slow and attitudes high-falutin'. (No, they would not serve low-fat milk in coffee because ...) My companion, the man who'd lived at Heide, was bemused since his recollections were of separating milk from the cows, cooking over a firepit, and so on. For visitors without a car, a taxi from Heidelberg station is another option if the 903 bus plus a walk does not suit you. Walking shoes and fold-up umbrella recommended: while indoor gallery spaces are stylish, the grounds are uneven and areas between buildings are open to the elements.