Melbourne’s Shucked Foundations: Oyster Legacy

During the gold rush period, the demand for oysters grew exponentially, leading to poor agricultural practices. Once discarded as waste, the oyster shells were repurposed and burnt to create lime for cement, which became foundational to Melbourne’s early architecture.

Louise’s solo exhibition features sculptural artwork crafted from recycled materials and crushed oyster shells. Upcycled oyster shells, sourced from Melbourne’s iconic Queen Victoria Market, are transformed into artworks with an ecological narrative.

The artist’s impression of Melbourne’s landscape, with the Yarra (Birrarung) flows through the work and abstractly outlines Bunjil, the revered wedge-tailed eagle in Aboriginal stories. The exhibition honours Melbourne’s oyster heritage while emphasising the vital role of Indigenous wisdom in ecological conservation.

Dates

17/09/2025 - 12/10/2025

Location

City Library Gallery, Melbourne

Launch

Thursday 18/09/2025

Artist talk

Sunday 05/10/2025

Photography

Mark Ashkanasy

Exhibition supported by