About the artwork

'The block' documents the facades of Melbourne’s distinctive public housing estates. These are sites rich with social, cultural and political histories at the intersection of public responsibility and private life.

Built in the 1960s by the Housing Commission program, Melbourne’s public housing tower blocks were intended to boost dwindling population numbers in the inner-city as surrounding and outer suburbs boomed. The program faced backlash from within the gentrifying inner-city suburbs, and this model of public housing ceased being built in the 1970s.

In The block, these tough brick and concrete buildings are gently abstracted. The artist focuses attention on the textures of the walls and the grids formed by the window frames. Through this close detail the artist also suggests the perspectives of the communities for whom these towers are home.

About the artist

Guled Abdulwasi is an architecturally trained multi-disciplinary Melbourne-based artist. Abdulwasi is interested in the connections people make with their environment through architecture, particularly in relation to ideas of home.

Who’s Afraid of Public Space at ACCA

Guled Abdulwasi, The block 2021 is presented in association with the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA), as part of their 2022 summer season exhibition Who’s Afraid of Public Space?