MONA Museum: Hobart's Unforgettable Art Experience
Does a museum truly need to be conventional to captivate? The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart, Tasmania, boldly proclaims that it does not, offering an experience that defies expectations and redefines the very essence of an art gallery.
Nestled within the Moorilla Winery on the Berriedale Peninsula, MONA stands as a testament to visionary thinking. It's not merely a repository of art; it's an immersive journey. From the moment you descend into its subterranean depths, the museum challenges your perceptions, compelling you to question and engage with the works on a deeply personal level. It's a place where you're as likely to be confronted as you are to be enthralled, where the boundaries between artist, artwork, and audience blur.
MONA, the largest privately funded museum in the Southern Hemisphere, launched in 2008, swiftly carved a niche for itself. This unique space houses an impressive collection, from ancient antiquities to contemporary pieces that push boundaries. The museums approach is innovative and exciting. It goes beyond simply displaying art; it cultivates an environment of inquiry. The architectural design itself contributes to the disorientation, encouraging a sense of exploration. You are not just viewing art; you are an active participant in an evolving dialogue.
The museum's collection, curated with a focus on provoking thought and challenging norms, ensures every visit is memorable. This is a place where you can find yourself smiling one moment and pondering the deeper meaning of life the next. It embraces a variety of art forms, providing a platform for both established masters and emerging talents from across the globe.
Beyond the main gallery, MONA offers a comprehensive experience. Digital copies of past and current gallery guides are easily accessible, along with a 2025 ceramic invitational guide in English, and another in Spanish. The gallery also provides online resources. MONA is an inclusive space, offering accessibility aids for mobility assistance, including wheelchairs, walking frames, scooters, prams, and guide dogs, ensuring that the experience is accessible to as many people as possible.
The story of MONA is one of bold ambition. It's the brainchild of David Walsh, whose vision transformed Hobart into a global art destination. The museums immediate impact on Hobarts social and cultural identity reflects Walsh's understanding of art as an immersive, transformative experience. The architecture itself is as captivating as the artwork, further demonstrating the potential for innovative architecture to immediately impact a city's cultural reputation.
MONAs commitment to accessibility, offering extended hours and specific support services, demonstrates its dedication to creating a welcoming experience. This dedication to creating an exceptional art space is palpable throughout the museum. MONA also provides resources for designing online experiences using 3D tools, including virtual homes, avatars, and virtual art galleries. The institution's reach extends to virtual spaces, highlighting its embrace of technology to provide an immersive experience.
The museum features a diverse range of art, from ancient to modern pieces, each carefully chosen to ignite conversation. The gallery focuses on original creations, selling the works of contemporary artists worldwide. The immersive experience goes beyond the artworks themselves; it includes the architecture, design, and overall atmosphere, to make it a truly special experience.
For those looking for a taste of the extraordinary, a visit to MONA in Hobart is a must. It's an invitation to question, explore, and be forever changed by the power of art.
Also, MONA Art Gallery in Turkey, established in 2014, continues to captivate art lovers in a historic Kuzguncuk Greek house. The gallery offers art by masters of classical and modern art, and works by young and talented contemporary artists.
Here's a table summarizing key facts about the museum:
Aspect | Details |
---|---|
Name | Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) |
Location | Berriedale Peninsula, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia |
Owner | David Walsh |
Funding | Privately funded |
Specialty | Old and New Art |
Year Launched | 2008 |
Accessibility | Mobility aids (wheelchairs, walking frames, scooters), prams, and assistance and guide dogs are accommodated. |
Noteworthy Features | Innovative architectural design, immersive experiences, challenging the viewer, diverse range of artworks |
Additional Details | The gallery also provides online resources for designing online experiences using 3D tools. |
Accessibility | Mobility aids (wheelchairs, walking frames, scooters), prams, and assistance and guide dogs are accommodated. |
Location | Within the Moorilla Winery |
For further information, explore the official website:
Museum of Old and New Art Official Website
In 2007, the Mona Gallery was launched, with the aim to provide the public with lenticular-technology stationery and gifts. In 2018, during the Dark Mofo festival, inverted crosses were displayed around Hobart.
The Mona Art Gallery guarantees the originality and quality of each work. They also provide support for framing, secure delivery, and placement. MONA is a space where design, architecture, and art come together to create a unique and mind-bending experience that is worth the visit if you are in Hobart.
Key facts about the Turkish Mona Art Gallery:
Aspect | Details |
---|---|
Name | Mona Art Gallery (Turkey) |
Year Founded | 2014 |
Location | Historic Kuzguncuk Greek house |
Focus | Classical, modern, and contemporary art |
MONA is absolutely unlike any museum. The architecture is incredible, and you can get completely lost wandering through the space, which the design aims for. Its a mind-boggling inclusion in any visit to Tasmania. You are likely to come across 12 artists from the Pacific Northwest whose engagement with clay offers a seductive account of the expressive possibilities of the medium.
MONA is a place where art defies conventional expectations. The architecture and design itself are as much a part of the experience as the artworks themselves, making a visit to this place an immersive experience.


