Words by Gwen Luscombe

Guests gathered in Melbourne last Thursday, April 11, at The Olsen’s penthouse for the largest micro art launch to hit Australia.

While micro art is still relatively new to most Australians, it’s been making a large impact in the art world for the last 15 years.

Art Series Hotels have launched one of the world’s biggest (small) art exhibitions, ‘Art in Micro’ featuring from now until 31 July at Art Series Hotels across Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.

As guests arrived, they were greeted with a magnifying glass and guide to the pieces on show as they made their way around the event inspecting the tiny artworks.

Micro art has taken the world by storm, and (if you look carefully) guests who stay at any of the eight Art Series Hotels during the exhibition will be given a magnifying glass at check-in and encouraged to search for every micro art piece around the hotel.

In attendance at the launch event was one of the talented micro artists, South Australian Joshua Smith, who chatted with guests about the micro art movement and his specific pieces. Smith has created bespoke works for the exhibition which will be showcased at the eight hotels.

“With the increase attention in micro art, we’ve seen artists such as UK’s Willard Wigan creating works of art which are selling for tens of thousands of dollars around the world,” said Smith.

“I have always been fascinated by miniatures ever since I was a little kid seeing model kits and model trains. I never knew that many years later I would be doing the same thing and making a career from it.”

Other artists supplying works for the exhibition are from all around the world, including Russia and Hawaii.

AccorHotels Pacific chief operating officer Simon McGrath hopes the art installation will be a hit with hotel guests.

“We have a rich history of supporting and exploring contemporary art forms, and believe micro art will be of particular fascination with all of our guests,” he said.

“Across the eight of our Art Series Hotels, over 40 pieces of micro art have either been purchased directly from artists around the world or have been loaned.

“We’re extremely excited to give our guests this unique experience while continuing to support a different type of art form, we’ve all had the joy of learning so much about.”