When Mikala Tai and her long-time friend and respected Art Dealer Bryan Collie found themselves with an ideal space for a gallery right in the centre of Melbourne they wasted no time in putting their heads together to come up with a concept and a distinctly new approach for selecting pieces to fill it. Melbourne International Fine Art was born.

For Mikala, raised in Hong Kong and with a comprehensive background in Asian Art, the decision to showcase the best of Contemporary Asian Art in the space at Level 1, 278 Collins St seemed a logical one. Her passion and enthusiasm for Asian art, coupled with Bryan’s long background in Australian Art as Director of the Melbourne Fine Art Gallery in Bourke St, as well as his wealth of experience and contacts, have resulted in a perfect pairing.

The two have also used the Gallery’s ideal location in the city to their advantage, bringing Louise Joel onboard to manage the considerable interest from local and international businesses to hold events in the space. And it is easy to see the appeal.

The team have succeeded in selecting compelling, challenging and hugely varied pieces to exhibit for their first collection ASIA NOW. Comprising works from 18 artists from the Asia-Pacific region (including five Asian-Australians) and tacking contemporary issues of Asian identity, the dichotomies of tradition and progress, urban and rural space, the old and the new and challenging stereotypes of Eastern culture, this first exhibit certainly succeeds in bridging the gap between Australia and its closest neighbours.

With a desire to expose the uninitiated to this style of art, MiFA is holding events, talks and discussions in the gallery. The diversity of subjects tackled and the wide range of mediums displayed in ASIA NOW – from video and photography to street art techniques and traditional Chinese watercolour – ensures plenty of conversation will emerge from this exhibit. Mikala sees this as a great opportunity to educate and inform, as well as a chance to grow the market for Contemporary Asian Art in Australia.

Her interest in making arts accessible to as many people as possible and creating new opportunities for collaboration and discussion has seen Mikala contribute to the Melbourne art landscape by consulting with the Melbourne Fashion Festival in developing their Cultural Program. Already, after just a few years in the business, she is establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with in the Melbourne and International Art Scene.

MiFA
Level 1, 278 Collins St, Melbourne
96633304
ww.mifa.com.au