A Nostalgic Installation in the Heart of Chadstone
Inside the modern shopping complex Chadstone, where smooth white corridors are lined with luxury boutiques, there stands a dilapidated weatherboard house that seems out of place. This unique installation is the work of renowned artist Rone, known for his captivating street art and installations.
Rone, whose real name is Tyrone Wright, explains that the house was not simply moved from another location but meticulously recreated from scratch. “You may drive past hundreds of houses like this every day, but when it’s framed like this, it might change your perspective,” he says. The artist leans into a sense of nostalgia and wonder, aiming to create an emotional connection with viewers.
The installation, titled Home, features a creaky front porch, a Hills Hoist in the backyard, and a car in the driveway. It includes all the elements of a typical suburban home, such as the kitchen, living room, dining room, driveway, and backyard. Entry to the installation is free, making it accessible to everyone.
“My goal is if I can make it look like Chadstone was built around the house, and it’s always been there, then I’ve succeeded,” Rone adds. Unlike some of his previous works, which focused on murals, this project centers on the building itself and its furnishings. The artist aims to create a meditation on beauty and decay, contrasting the clean and clinical environment of the shopping center with the aged charm of the house.
This installation marks Rone’s first artwork in Melbourne since Time in 2022, when he transformed the top floor of Flinders Street Station. However, it is more closely aligned with his Omega Project from 2017, where he converted a condemned house on the site of an old paper factory in Alphington.
Home is the centerpiece of Chadstone’s Light to Night festival, a new program that combines art, food, and music. The festival will include events such as the World’s Longest Dinner, which will host 400 guests in collaboration with the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, and an after-dark music festival.
Chadstone has undergone significant changes in recent years, with its tenant mix now comprising 25% non-retail spaces. The shopping center also provides working space for over 6,500 office workers. Michael Whitehead, general manager of property at Chadstone, explains that the center aims to support its office tenants, including Kmart, Adairs, and Officeworks, by offering reasons to stay after work hours.
“Melbourne’s very much about fashion, it’s about art, it’s about culture, it’s about food, and so this is about bringing all those things together in one space,” Whitehead says. Chadstone has moved away from its former tagline, “the fashion capital,” and instead positions itself as a multifaceted urban hub.
The shopping center’s reinvention also includes changes to retail tenancies, with luxury brand Valentino set to leave Chadstone. Despite this, Rone sees the commercial setting as an opportunity to reach a broader audience.
“I feel like there will be a whole new audience to see my work, and it will be interesting to see how they respond,” he says. The Light to Night festival will run from June 11 to July 12 at Chadstone, offering a unique blend of art, culture, and community engagement.
