Ochre Fine Arts Gallery

Absolutely wonderful experience. Melina is very knowledgeable about the artwork, the artists and the story behind every piece of art. I would not have wanted to miss the opportunity to walk into her gallery.
It made the day for us.

There are very few art galleries in Australia that offer the quality and expertise of Ochre Fine Arts Gallery. The gallery consistently puts forward incredible, thought-provoking Aboriginal art that pushes the boundaries of how many of us think about indigenous art. There is nothing standard about this Gallery and their curated collections are nothing short of superb! I have been following Ochre Fine Arts Gallery from its humble roots in The Rocks. Since that time, I have watched the owner rethink her approach to bringing the finest artists to collectors and newbies alike. Highly, highly recommended if you're visiting Sydney.

Warm, charming art shop just a few steps away from the Manly ferry wharf. A wonderfully curated collection of Aboriginal arts. The owner, Melina, is a passionate and delightful person dedicated to supporting local artists and preserving a piece of Australian history. I've brought quite a few pieces home both locally purchased and shipped, and absolutely LOVE the feel they give my home. Each piece comes with a story about the work, and also about the artist behind the work. And, the BEST part is the works are affordable and have a broad range of pricing. I definitely recommend stopping by this festive local arts shop, and picking up a piece for yourself or your friends. Enjoy!

While in Sydney I was on a quest to find a didgeridoo. I visited several shops that sold didgeridoos however I felt the the shop keepers were just doing me a favor showing me their instruments. While in Manley, for the purpose of going for a walk, my wife and I stumbled upon Ochre Fine Arts Gallery. Seeing a didgeridoo in the window we walked in and were greeted by Melina, the owner. I explained who I was, where I was from and that I was interested in didgeridoos but had very little knowledge about them and certainly couldn’t play one although on the cruise ship we did have a few lessons using PVC pipe. Melina took me over to a corner in the back of her shop where several didgeridoos were standing. She left me alone to enjoy them at my leisure while she and my wife chatted in the front part of the gallery. Becoming frustrated that I couldn’t play them only increased my interest. I thanked Melina for the opportunity to try her instruments but felt I could’t justify the purchase knowing I couldn’t play. Her comment was “when you are ready just let me know and I’ll find one for you”. Back home in Eugene, Oregon, USA, I continued working with the PVC pipe. Finally about two months later I was able to do two rotations of the circular breathing technique. With this small accomplishment I was ready. I emailed Melina asking her to find me one of the quality I wanted and within a price range. A couple of weeks and several email exchanges later she shipped me a very nice didgeridoo. I long for the day that I can get back to Manley and personally thank Melina for treating me like a customer and not like some curious tourist. And yes, I still enjoy playing my didgeridoo.

My review is way overdue! If your seriously considering Aboriginal art, and your around Manley, then you should check the gallery out. My wife and I have been collected our Aboriginal art pieces from Ochre Fine Arts Gallery for years now. Melina narrates an incredible story of the artwork. She sources from legendary artists and has a deep connection with the arts community. Depending on the pieces, sometimes the artists capture their creation with photos! It's amazing to see the art come alive! The gallery will ship your items and we've been very happy with the delivery. Highly recommended!

I spend a good bit of each year in Sydney and soon after arrival each time I begin planning my visits to Ochre. Those visits are as much about art as they are about reconnecting with Melina Shirvanian, the gallery owner. Over the years Melina has patiently shared with me her deep knowledge about art and the artists she works with. I am always touched by the reverence she holds for Aboriginal cultures and her respect for the artists whose work is represented in Ochre. At each visit I come away feeling enriched and grateful to have found this place. If you want to visit only one gallery, this is the place. Its physical footprint is small but within its carefully curated spaces lives a vibrant and extensive collection paintings as well as baskets, musical instruments and other traditional creations from many Aboriginal communities. Ochre has also become a favorite for my many friends who trek Down Under and they treasure the pieces Melina helped them select for their homes or for gifts. Indeed we love Ochre!

Absolutely love this gallery! I continue to enjoy the paintings that I've chosen from Ochre and see them as an investment and as supporting Indigenous people. Melina the owner is passionate about her business and can help you find the perfect gift for yourself or loved one.

Ochre Fine Arts is a special place. The owner, Melina, is an expert in traditional Aboriginal art and will take you on a journey through this stunning gallery, sharing her knowledge she's obtained over the past 25 years. If you're looking for a beautiful piece of traditional Aboriginal art in unexpected styles, this is where you'll find it. Well worth a visit for Sydney siders or anyone that's visiting from interstate or abroad.

We visited Manly specifically for this gallery!! The artwork is just amazing, and the knowledge the owner has about every piece and their artist is astounding. We loved spending some time there and limiting our choice to just one piece was impossible!! So, we did the only thing we could do... we chose 2 pieces!!