Magnet

30/05/2026

IMPORTANT!
DELIVERING your REMEMBERING prints to MAGNET this SUNDAY? The gallery's open
between 12 noon and 3pm

15/05/2026

MAGNET is proud to have been the first host of WORLD PRESS PHOTO - in Melbourne or, indeed in Victoria!
Alongside the 2022 exhibition (which WPP gave us permission to print locally - and greatly admired the superior results by Daniel Silver of our print studio Photonet Fine Art Printing) - we also produced a really excellent series of talks, discussions and public conversations over the three weeks of the exhibition. TALKING PHOTOGRAPHY AT MAGNET was a vibrant programme featuring many Australian and international photojournalists.
It canvassed such topics as Past Present and Future in Photography, Redefining Photojournalism's Boundaries, the Role of the War Photographer and a provocative discussion Question The Image. (Among other things - for the first time WPP introduced a small section of AI -developed images into its 2022 exhibition.)

MAGNET is delighted to see that World Press Photo is coming to The Art Gallery of Ballarat in August this year - Chookas to them! We'll certainly be making a visit - and encourage you all to do the same if you want to see the best of documentary photography and photojournalism arising from today's chaotic world!

05/05/2026

The Photography of Michael Silver remains on the walls of MAGNET almost to the end of May (closing 24 May) to honour his memory and give you a chance to come and enjoy them in tranquillity. An eclectic collection of Michael's work from the age of 14 to (almost) the present, these images show the breadth of his work as a press, a commercial and a personal photographer. If you see an image you like - talk to us.....we'll print you a copy for a modest price - and add those funds to our forthcoming fundraiser exhibition to benefit Dementia Australia. (More details about that very soon!)

01/05/2026

MAGNET photographer BARBARA OEHRING is showing work at THE HUT GALLERY, FERNTREE GULLY.
Exhibition Opening : Sunday 3 May 2-4pm All welcome!

Barbara's work is beautiful and soulful - don't miss this opportunity to enjoy it - as well as a day out of the city!

Come by train - the 12.57 from Flinders Street (Sandringham Line, change at Richmond for the Belgrave Line) will get you there in time! (Susanne's going - and she just looked up the trains.....)

Photo - "Welcome" - Barbara Oehring

01/05/2026

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/melbourne-star-observation-wheel-ready-to-roll-within-weeks/news-story/0e626d93bc3e72e44dbed0fbb201ad71?giftid=okXDbjv92s&_kx=tMtLZDuKQ1hqetnIQ-C6HeoUfhwXucEw7r9DIxCjops.TjmrzC

News from the Herald-Sun about the re-opening later this year of the Melbourne Star observation wheel, conveniently situated close to MAGNET ! (We've been telling you it's happening!)
We'll overlook reporter Peter Rolfe's snarky comment about a "controversial eyesore" and concentrate on the good news for our area of Docklands. The District Docklands precinct, home to MAGNET, was built for the Wheel and we can't wait to see it back in action. Although so many people have grumbled about its position - we're here to tell you it's a fabulous ride! Michael and Susanne rode it at early evening to see sunset glories across the bay on the upward journey and glittering city lights as darkness fell on the downward ride. Highly recommended - and we wish the new owners of the Wheel every success.

Melbourne’s giant observation wheel will be ready to carry passengers within weeks ahead of a full public opening in a matter of months.

30/04/2026

A BEAUTIFUL COMMITTAL

Yesterday, on a glorious afternoon Michael's family laid his ashes to rest beneath a tree at Mornington Green Legacy Park. This beautiful environment, planted with many groves of trees, is a place where ashes are infused into the roots of the family's chosen tree to nourish that tree thereafter. Michael's tree is a flowering crabapple, near the lake where ducks and turtles live, and close to a wonderful old gum tree where we've seen magpies hopping around. They were his favourite bird (though he was no Collingwood supporter!) - he called their warbling song the Sound of Australia. It will be a happy place to visit. Crabapples bloom in late Spring - so it will flower for Michael's birthday in October.

Mornington Green is a relatively new memorial park and is planted with a wide variety of trees. In years to come it will be simply glorious. The people who manage it take you to their hearts with such kindness. Our grateful thanks to Rebecca, Rob, Louise and Sophie who all made our day a wonderful memory.
Thanks, too, to Michael's close friends - David Zerman who conducted our memorial event, and to Andrew Chapman and Colin Abbott who represented all the MAGNET family.

30/04/2026

An invitation to contribute to our
FUNDRAISER for DEMENTIA AUSTRALIA
in memory of MICHAEL SILVER, President of MAGNET GALLERIES

Before Michael's sudden death in March, when we had just learned that he was suffering from Alzheimer's, we planned to hold a fundraiser exhibition this year to benefit Dementia Australia, inviting photographers to donate a print to the exhibition and a small contribution to kickstart the funds!

If you would like to join us in this event, in memory of Michael, please contact me now on [email protected] and I'll send you all the details of how to take part.
I hope to hear from you soon!
Thanks so much!
Susanne

PERHAPS YOU'VE ALREADY MENTIONED YOUR INTEREST VERBALLY? - please send a quick email to confirm that in writing
Thanks so much!

27/04/2026

VALE MICHAEL!
Yesterday the gallery was gloriously filled with family, friends and photographers (all of which are the same thing really!) to celebrate the life and work of MICHAEL SILVER, Photographer, the founding President of MAGNET.
Friends and colleagues from the distant past to the present day shared stories, paid heartfelt respects and
resumed many old acquaintances and friendships. Music was played, poems read, memories shared, with lots of love and laughter as well as tears.

Susanne announced a forthcoming FUNDRAISER EXHIBITION to benefit Dementia Australia - a project that she and Michael had started to plan before his sudden death in early March, inviting photographers to donate a print (or more) to the exhibition. Would you like to take part? Register your interest at [email protected] for full information.

07/04/2026

FINAL FOUR DAYS

Our superlative LIKENESS exhibition closes on Saturday at 4pm. Once it's gone - it's gone. Don't miss seeing this lovely collection of photography exploring the theme of portraiture in so many unexpected ways.

Our final image from the exhibition is a portrait of a window, a peaceful, tranquil image of domesticity from a beautiful old country dwelling.

Photo: "Merle's Window" - Susanne Silver. Archival print on Sihl Masterclass baryta paper. Open edition $250 print only

MAGNET will take a short break following the closing of this exhibition while we deal with some much-needed refurbishment of the galleries. Look out for news of our exhibitions landing in June, July and September! You can easily keep up to date by joining our e-mailing list. Simply send us an email requesting that we add your details to the list : [email protected]