Dear Agnes,

Dear Agnes 2026 featured twelve new works across a range of mediums, all inspired by the coastal environments of Hobsons Bay and the land artwork 'A Forest for Australia' by Agnes Denes. From sculptural works made from tree roots and an audiovisual installation illuminating hidden worlds, to a performance lecture in the Under Keeper's cottage, the program offered new ways of looking and responding to landscapes in Altona. You can now explore the full digital catalogue via the link in our bio ✨🌿 🌳 Nahbananas (@nahbananas ) 'Between the Sky and the Ground' Sculpture made from tree roots, 2026  🐎 Ex Ponto & Lee Ramseyer Bache (@littleprojectorcompany ) 'Pastoral Phantasmagoria, or straight from the horse's mouth' Immersive installation, 2026  🌱 Kate Hunter (@katehuntertheatre ) & Jem Savage   'MicroSonic' Plywood, paint, muslin, scrim, ceramic and paper objects, mp3 on loop, 2026  ✋ Emma Lyn Winkler   'Sleight of Hand' Oil, acrylic and spray paint on canvas, oil on canvas, steel sculpture supports and glazed ceramic sculptures, 2026 🏠  Alexandra Harrison   'A Wave Of Verticals' Performance lecture, 2026 Photos by @mattolucasphotography #creativecityhobsonsbay

She’s grown!! With contributions from 38 people across three workshops, here hangs “A Forest for Altona – A Community Woven Canopy.” I absolutely had to lie down beneath it and take it all in — experiencing the work in its full, immersive glory. I’m genuinely in awe of the creativity within our local community. This project has shifted something in me — encouraging me to experiment more, to think differently, and to gently challenge my usual way of working. Still in discussion as to where this work will end up — but it certainly can’t live in my studio for much longer. I could barely capture it in a single frame. So stay tuned if you’d like to experience it in person. I’m a strong advocate for artists being recognised for their contributions, so I’d like to acknowledge those who helped bring this installation to life. (Not everyone has been listed, as some preferred to remain uncredited.) Elizabeth Bieber Linda Calandrelio Steve Calandrelio Mena Cassetta Hannah Cheevers Jeanie Clarke Catherine Curtain Krista Green Avery Greenwell Christina Hardcastle Andi Hardcastle Christopher Hardcastle Liliana Iuri Xuting Jiang Jane Judith Jones Zoe Jones Rebecca Knit Coralie Lowe Kaye MacRae Ingrid Magtengaard Paula Manteleone Nikkila Matsinos Carmelle Pavan Georgiana P Narelle Rabbidge Diana Rice Jenny Rutsch Felicity Sicari Vivienne Tate Cassandra Velinos Vincenza Andrew Webster This project was supported by @creativecityhobsonsbay and produced by @louisjoelartscommunity and @louisjoelgallery for the @_dear_agnes Contemporary Public Art Program. Swipe to see images from the final workshop, including some of the contributors with their woven forms.

That's a wrap for Dear Agnes 2026! It was great to see so many people come along to experience the artworks at Truganina Explosives Reserve and participate in workshops, walks and talks inspired by local landscapes and the legacy of artist Agnes Denes ✨🌳⁠ ⁠ Thank you to all the artists, facilitators, community groups, and our partners at Greater Western Water, RMIT University and Deakin University who contributed to the multilayered program.⁠ ⁠ Keep an eye out on our website over the coming weeks for a catalogue featuring all the artworks!⁠ ⁠ #creativecityhobsonsbay

The magic of Dylan Martorell's 'Sonic Solar Field' when the sun comes out ☀️ Today and tomorrow are your last opportunities to catch the amazing artworks at Truganina Explosives Reserve during Dear Agnes. Open until 5pm today, and 11am to 3pm tomorrow (Sunday 29 March). Thank you to everyone that has come along to visit and participate in the workshops, walks and performances. This afternoon we have a Conversation Circle with artists. #creativecityhobsonsbay

To mark the final weekend of Dear Agnes, Dr Kate Hunter Dr Katie Lee will lead a conversation circle with artists from the 2026 program. Come along to find out more about the artworks, Agnes Denes, and different approaches to creative practice. 🗓️ Saturday 28 March, 3pm 📍Truganina Explosives Reserve, Altona (under cover in case there is more rain!) Free and no bookings required. #dearagnes #creativecityhobsonsbay

Join artist Alexandra Harrison for a performance about encounters between the trees of land artwork 'A Forest for Australia', the Public Sphere and the people of Altona.⁠ ⁠ This is performance as a gesture of passing through. Witnessing is the mission.⁠ ⁠ No bookings required. Simply come to the Under Keepers Cottage at Truganina Explosives Reserve and experience a truly unique performance lecture.⁠ ⁠ 🕛 Saturday 28 March + Sunday 29 March 12pm and 2pm⁠ 📍Truganina Explosives Reserve, Altona⁠ ⁠ Presented as part of Dear Agnes contemporary public arts program.⁠ ⁠ Read more about the Dear Agnes artists via the link in our bio.⁠ ⁠ #creativecityhobsonsbay

Hands weaving, structures forming. Using the same technique, each piece becomes something entirely its own — different rhythms, tensions, embellishments. Individual forms with their own character, shaped by the hands that made them. I’ve loved witnessing how instinctively everyone approaches the process, and I’m so proud of what’s been created and brought together across these past workshops. I’ve also been a little overwhelmed by the response — surprising, and a beautiful reminder of the strength of community. Our final workshop is happening this Saturday (details via the link in bio). It’s currently booked out, but if you’re interested, please join the waitlist — it really helps me understand the level of interest for future sessions. And if you’ve booked but can no longer make it, please remember to cancel your ticket so someone else has the opportunity to take part. Thank you for being part of this growing forest 🌿 These workshops were produced by @hobsonsbaycc and @louisjoelgallery @louisjoelartscommunity and is part of the @_dear_agnes contemporary public art program Photos by Caitlin Holden at @creativecityhobsonsbay — thank you for capturing these delicate moments.

Debris Facility Pty Ltd's work ToxEcology invests in the contamination and containment processes on site and beyond to reflect on control ‘development’ and multiple ecologies. Through four components of the work: design + concrete poetry, installation-infrastructure-packaging, a signal2noise audio tour, and a printed map/ site refraction which lead us through a speculative engagement with these complex sites and their circulatory activities.   Showing for three more days at Truganina Explosives Reserve, Altona as part of Dear Agnes contemporary public art program. Friday 27 March - 10am to 3pm Saturday 28 March - 11am to 5pm Sunday 29 March - 11am to 3pm 🧪✨ @debris.facility  Pty Ltd works at the overlap of waste management and cultural production, within the framework of a queer corporate entity. Working through non-binary, multiple agencies to produce thousands of artworks, exhibitions, performances, designs, audio, video, text, wearables and other speculations. Operating in narrm for a decayed decade, they have worked with leading cultural institutions, artist run projects, publications, and self-devised projects. Their work is held in private collections and landfill.  -  @creativecityhobsonsbay   #creativecityhobsonsbay #dearagnes #dearagnes2026 #agnesdenes #publicart #contemporaryart

Hot Mulch (@isadora.vaughan and @_katehill_ ) has created a site-responsive temporary sculptural work at Truganina Explosives Reserve along with hosting a public reading group on the first weekend of the Dear Agnes program ✨ These two elements oscillate around the form and action of tunneling as it manifests on and off site in the history of the Explosives Reserve. Doing so draws out combustion, contamination and residues as ways of handling and conceiving the tunnel.  By generating a work that utilises processes reflective of tunneling, burrowing, or trenching, the artists both physically and conceptually explore the complexities of separation and contamination. How does forming differ from tunneling, what is contained or what seeps out? What are the limitations and possibilities of such boundaries? And— how might the movement of materials in turn contaminate other materials, places and entities? Read more about Hot Mulch and the other Dear Agnes artists at hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/DearAgnes Don't miss the artwork, on display this Friday, Saturday and Sunday 🌿 #creativecityhobsonsbay 📷 Matto Lucas

Join Jaeden Williams Briggs (pictured) and Rockin' Russell from @hobsonsbaylibraries for a 'Story Time and Cultural Learning on Country' to celebrate trees and the lifeforce they bring into our lives at Truganina Explosives Reserve, Altona 🌳☀️ 🗓️ Friday 27 March, 10am and 12pm They’ll dig into delightful tree-themed tales, sing songs and explore the wonders of nature.   Perfect for little sprouts and their grown-ups; come ready to learn, play, make and grow! Bring along your hats and sunscreen.  Jaeden Williams Briggs, a proud Boonwurrung and First Peoples educator, cultural leader and mental health advocate will be teaming up with Rockin Russell from Hobsons Bay Libraries for these two unique outdoor events.  A craft activity and book nook area will be provided as a quiet sensory zone.  Book now via Eventbrite (link in bio) Presenged as part of Dear Agnes contemporary public art program, by Hobsons Bay City Council in partnership with RMIT University, Deakin University and Greater Western Water. #creativecityhobsonsbay #dearagnes2026

Join Rob Ogden for a Walk on Country today at Truganina Explosives Reserve to learn more about the cultural histories, ecology and changing landscapes of the site and surrounding area. There are walks at 11.30am and 1.30pm with more spots in the afternoon session and walk-ins welcome for both 🌿🚶☀️ Bookings also available via link in bio. #dearagnes #creativecityhobsonsbay

Emma Lyn Winkler // Sleight of Hand  Oil, acrylic and spray paint on canvas, oil on canvas, steel sculpture supports and glazed ceramic sculptures, 2026 Sleight of Hand is a multimedia installation that fixates on the spiral’s connection to the mind’s inner workings. With psychological associations such as a self-perpetuating cycle of anxiety or the repetition of an obsession, like Denes, Sleight of Hand considers an uncertain future by examining our emotional reactions to a looming sense of apocalypse.  ✨ Dancing around themes of death and futility, @emmalynwinkler practice explores the intersections of collage, painting, ceramics, and animation. Her process layers personal photographs, developmental diagrams and a found imagery database to create works shaped by personal narratives of anxiety and mental health. Through medieval-inspired ceramics, nonsense diagrams, fragmented paintings and slapstick animations, Emma encourages viewers to find humour in the inevitable. Website: emmalynwinkler.com  -  @creativecityhobsonsbay   #creativecityhobsonsbay #dearagnes #dearagnes2026 #agnesdenes #publicart #contemporaryart