Art

Inside A Barn Turned Art Gallery On The Mornington Peninsula

Believe it or not, artist Hannah Nowlan’s new Mornington Peninsula arts space is set inside a barn on a once-abandoned acreage.

This artist-run initiative, called Lander—Se, is all about championing emerging landscape artists, in addition to the natural beauty just outside its glass doors.

And its second ever exhibition shines a spotlight on a collection of incredible female talent local to the coastal region.

Written
by
Christina Karras
|
Photography
by

From left: Painting by Charlotte Swiden. Sculpture by Tao Delves. Painting by Hannah Nowlan. Sculpture by Amy Leeworthy, Weaving by Emma Shepherd. Painting by Emma Labattaglia. Ceramic framed drawing by Natalie Bessell. Two sculptures by Sarah Austin. Small weaving by Emma Shepard. Photograph by Bri Horne. Ceramic artwork by Britt Neech. Painting by Hannah Nowlan.

Painting by Hannah Nowlan. Photograph by Bri Horne. Weaving by Emma Shepherd. Painting by Charlotte Swiden. Ceramic sculpture by Tao Delves. Sculpture by Amy Leeworthy. Painting by Hannah Nowlan.

Painting by Hannah Nowlan. Photograph by Bri Horne. Weaving by Emma Shepherd. Painting by Charlotte Swiden.

Hannah hangs a sculpture by Kelly Larkin made from recycled paper and plaster.

Weaving by Emma Shepherd. Painting by Emma Labattaglia. Ceramic framed drawing by Natalie Bessell. Sculptures by Sarah Austin. Photograph by Bri Horne. Ceramic artwork by Britt Neech.

The empty shell of the old barn has been restored, with new handmade double-glazed doors transforming the facade.

Hannah and Jasper the blue heeler inside the gallery. Walls painted Porters Icelandic Stone.

The new showcase SCAPE features pieces by 12 female artists local to the Mornington Peninsula.

Geological Springs by Hannah Nowlan. Chair 1977 & Ottoman by King Living. Side table and cabinetry from IKEA. Handwoven cushion by Sundance Studio.

All knowing shadow by Hannah Nowlan. Pendant lighting by Oi Soi Oi, stocked by Lander—Se. Handmade tiles by Tiles Of Ezra. Towel by BAINA

Stone mosaic bench top made by Hannah and glassed by their neighbour Al. ‘All the natural stone was salvaged from stonemason skip bins, repurposing waste materials destined for landfill,’ Hannah says.

Lander—Se is designed to serve as a gallery, artist’s residency, workshop space, and events all in one.

Bathroom mirror by Middle Of Nowhere. Large format tiles from House of Surfaces. Handmade ceramic tiles by Made by Mennt. Wall sconce by Robert Gordon.

Writer
Christina Karras
Photography
28th of October 2024

Hannah Nowlan is on the precipice of a new era in her career. The Melbourne artist has built a reputation for her abstract landscapes, but over the last two years, she’s taken an ‘unintentional sabbatical’ to transform a steel barn in Red Hill into a brand-new gallery, now called Lander—Se.

This mammoth project involved an equally major renovation, helmed by Hannah and her partner Tim. The couple lived onsite in a swag most weekends — with only an outhouse and camping shower at their disposal — to bring Hannah’s vision to life.

Together, they painstakingly plastered the soaring walls beneath the barn’s five-metre-high pitched roof; built a bathroom and a bedroom; and double-glazed the glass doors that perfectly frame views of the surrounding landscape.

‘We’re honoured to be the caretakers of this rural site and we’ve dedicated our space to artists exploring landscape-based themes, broadening awareness of our beautiful Australian environment,’ Hannah explains.

And in a bit of a full circle moment, she says The Design Files had a small hand in inspiring this next chapter.

‘In 2019, I had a solo exhibition with The Design Files. I remember asking Lucy Feagins for some advice after the show and she said: “Think about where you want to be in five years, and start saying yes to projects that lead you there.”’

Hannah recalls, ‘In this moment, I decided I wanted to create an artist-run gallery to support my own practice, but also to support other emerging artists.’

Inspired to ‘diversify’ her career, Hannah designed the gallery space with a multifunctional floor plan. Equipped with a kitchen and bathroom, Lander—Se can host events, exhibition openings and creative workshops, while the mezzanine provides space for a stockroom, art supplies storage, and a bedroom that can be used for photoshoots and a future artist-in-residence program.

‘Now that Lander—Se is open, I’m juggling being an artist, stylist and gallery owner/curator. It’s a full brief, but I’m loving it,’ Hannah says. ‘After working mostly on my own for the past eight years, I’m loving the variety, networking and the connections I’m creating.’

The space officially opened in April 2024 with a new exhibition of Hannah’s own works inspired by the raw slate and materials unearthed during the site’s renovation.

More than 200 visitors attended the opening weekend, empowering Hannah with a newfound sense of freedom, which she’s already started carrying into her ethereal painting practice.

‘It’s actually been quite freeing being able to exhibit my first self- presented body of work, on my own terms, in a space that feels as much like a work of art as the paintings I’m hanging on the walls.’

See Lander—Se’s latest exhibition SCAPE on show until November 5.

This story originally appeared in Issue 01 of The Design Files Magazine.

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