West Space was established in 1993 yet it still has that undiscovered, I-know-something-you-don’t-know feeling about it. It may be a tad hard to find but it can always be recognised on opening nights by the scattering of young art-enthusiasts on the pavement out the front, cigarettes held loosely between their parted lips or waved around emphatically in passionate discussion.

One of Melbourne’s oldest artist-run initiatives, West Space was originally located in Footscray and is ever expanding and changing. But one thing that will never change is the high standard of works and the focus on giving unknown talent a much appreciated boost.

Polished, paint-splattered cement floors and white walls give it a minimalist look that begs to be draped and smeared with art. You’ll find an array of different mediums from installations and projections to drawings and sculptures and a range of contemporary artists, both emerging and established.

West Space offers a network of support for emerging artists by dipping its fingers into publishing, international artist exchanges and forums. See the works of some of Australia’s most talented artists before they get too big for our commoner eyes.