The Johnston Collection presents new exhibition Inspired By Women

The Johnston Collection (TJC) in East Melbourne is now hosting a new exhibition, Inspired By Women, which celebrates the creative and intellectual contributions of women from the Georgian era. 

The exhibition, which opened at the end of September and runs until March 23, features more than 50 works of embroidery and silverware, offering a unique tribute to the craftswomen of the time.

TJC is a house-museum unlike any other. Its exhibits are not static, but rather reimagined every six months with the help of volunteers. 

For this exhibition, TJC has partnered with the Embroiderers Guild to create an immersive experience, blending the intimacy of a period salon with the grandeur of historical artifacts. 

Visitors will encounter embroidered ornaments and silverware, either crafted in the 1650s to 1850s or inspired by the techniques of that period.

Eight meticulously decorated rooms recreate the atmosphere of the aristocratic England, drawing connections to notable women of the time. Among those celebrated are the Duchess of Portland, Lady Melbourne, and Mary Delany, whose contributions to both science and art are showcased. 

The exhibition also gives a nod to literary figures like Jane Austen, featuring a writing “room of her own” with a tiny desk for her tribute, and a yellow wallpaper reminiscent of others feminist authors – respectively, Virginia Woolf and Charlotte Perkins Gilman.
TJC CEO Dr Louise Voll Box described the exhibition as “Melbourne’s best-kept secret”. 

With no signage on the street, the venue remains discreet, but once inside, she said “visitors are warmly welcomed”. 

This exhibition, highlighting the often-overlooked work of women artists and artisans, aims to inspire across generations. Visitors can book tickets online for guided tours available from Wednesday to Sunday. All tours begin at the Pullman Hotel, where guests are then escorted to the exhibition site.

This exhibition proposes a rare exploration of the hidden histories of women’s contributions to the arts on objects and textile. •