Venue highlights

Parking & transport

Good to know

• Guest restroom on site.

Reviews

• L M

  ★★★★★

  “This amazing house in Malvern East is a museum showcasing the lives, travels and creations of Karl and Slawa Duldig with their daughter Eva as they made their journey from Austria to Switzerland, Singapore, country Victoria and finally Melbourne. There is a wide array of sculptures, drawings, paintings, historical archives and furniture with each piece having its own story and significance. Learn about Slawa’s invention of the folding umbrella. The displays inside the house are complemented by a lovely sculpture garden and the studio in the backyard. It was lovely to have the opportunity to chat with Eva and listen to some of her personal recollections. Thanks to Janine for all her favourite insights during our tour. The impromptu performance on the one hundred year old Steinway made for a lovely Sunday morning visit. The Duldig Studio is worth visiting again and again.”

• Wen Pham

  ★☆☆☆☆

  “Oh how I wish I had fond memories of this place… I was feeling uninspired and thought to myself “Wouldn’t it be nice to gaze upon some beautiful art, inspire oneself and dig myself out of this artistic rut I have been in.” My partner and I were giddy with excitement, “It is the artists studio we will be seeing, where they created, thrived and lived their best lives!” I couldn’t wait for the delights ahead. We drove approximately 3 quarters of an hour to the destination. A little far, but for artistic endeavours- it would be worth it! Alas! The front door was…closed? But Google maps said it was open for business? There was no signage, nor an obvious doorbell. We were confused. “Aha! A gate! Perhaps through there we should enter.” We peeked through the gates and saw some beautiful sculptures, plants…an art garden! A little click and the side gate was open. We walked through, looking around for someone who might guide us to the reception area. An older woman behind a glass door saw us. Our guide perhaps? Someone who could tell us where to go, how to view the studio, someone to open the gates to the inspiration we were seeking. “YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE!” She scolded. “This is PRIVATE property!” Taken aback, we told her we thought this was the entry. We weren’t trespassers, we just wanted to see some art (which of course we were willing to pay for) and the gate was open? The woman hustled us back out to the front, trying to gather some sort of professionalism as she realised we were not there to rob the place, but we were actually lost customers trying to find the entrance. After we were herded over to the front room like a couple of stray animals, she and her colleague explained that the studios viewings were by appointment. Fair enough. She then hurriedly tried to give an introduction to the studio, rushing through the artists history. The artists were foreigners to Australia and apparently were not welcome upon arrival- which felt all too familiar and ironic, especially as we are people of colour. After Wendy barked the information at us, we said we did not want to make a booking for a tour. The whole ordeal left us feeling quite tense and the thought of being followed around by Wendy while trying to look at art would have added to the discomfort we already had. I made the excuse that we would just come back another time. We in fact would not be coming back another time, we in fact wanted to get as far away from the place and Wendy’s condescending tone as fast as humanly possible. The other lady who worked there was trying to remedy the situation, offering us a look at the front area of the studio which was free and didn’t require a booking. Great. So we had a little gander. Then comes Wendy again. “Where are you from?” She asked. Being people of colour, it is not a question we take lightly. My partner was rightly infuriated by this. Even the colleague looked uncomfortable. Wendy then went to explain that there was an artwork of a Chinese person in the studio (the one we couldn’t even look at). A completely useless piece of information even if we were Chinese. So from there, visibly uncomfortable and completely repelled by the thought of spending any more time there, I politely as possible said we were going to leave now. Wendy looked pleased with herself as we were leaving, a smirk on her face. So back to how I wish we had fond memories of this place. As a practising artist, this experience almost completely turned me off the sculpture art world in general. I couldn’t even see or say the word 'sculpture' without cringing. We were the opposite of inspired- we felt discriminated against, we were made to feel like trespassers, treated like we were lower class and we were turned off the thought of going to another gallery for quite some time and unfortunately, it only inspired me to write this review.”

• Sandy McKinnon

  ★★★★★

  “Visited Duldig Studio as part of the Victorian Hertitage Festival. Was met with the curator and several volunteers and later Eva the daughter of Karl and Slawa Duldig. An informative review was done of the Duldig's families work in Vienna and Singapore before moving to Melbourne upon the fall of Singapore. A tour was completed of the house showing the vast art collection using multiple sculpture materials, drawings, and paintings. Overall a fascinating time capsule. Tea or coffee and biscuits were served and Eva answered questions about the studio for about 30 minutes and finally a tour of backyard sculptures. Excellent value tour for art enthusiasts and history buffs who want to know more about the years between the World Wars.”

• Charlie Soon

  ★★★★★

  “A tiny yet full of story house, nicely tucked away in Malvern East. Often people would drive past without realising this beauty ☺️ they are open two afternoons per week and open on one Saturday per month. Make sure you visit this place at least once.”

• Charles Grinter

  ★★★★★

  “This is an amazing little Museum. The volunteers are passionate and informative. The lives and art that are celebrated are extraordinary.”