Mural exhibition in condemned Alphington house a surprise hit

ART lovers have queued for hours in the rain to view a temporary exhibition at a condemned house in Alphington. The Omega Project by street artist Rone has attracted thousands of visitors.

ART lovers have queued for up to two hours in the rain to view a temporary exhibition at a condemned house in Alphington.

The Omega Project by Melbourne street artist Rone has attracted thousands of visitors since it opened on the former Amcor paper mill site on Saturday.

Art lovers line up outside the temporary exhibition in Parkview Rd, Alphington Pic: Andrius Lipsys

The unexpected hit has surprised the artist who said the public response had been “crazy”.

“This is beyond anything I thought could happen.

People queued for hours, sometimes in the rain. Pic: Andrius Lipsys

“People are coming in from the outer suburbs, it’s been amazing.’’

The demand has prompted the artist to open earlier this weekend, from 10am, instead of noon.

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More than 2000 people turned up over the weekend in cold, wet weather. And even on Monday another 650 art lovers stood in line.

Rone at the abandoned house on Parkview Rd, Alphington. Picture: David Caird

Art explorer Sarah Darmody takes in the art at the kitchen table. Picture: David Caird

Rone uses a crowbar as well as brushes to create his work. Picture: David Caird

The popularity of the work has shocked Rone. Picture: David Caird

Nearby and former Alphington residents also dropped by for a look at the unique gallery.

“One guy has come back three times, so the response has been great. Families and even people on their lunch break,’’ Rone said.

The walls of the old weatherboard cottage have been covered in Rone’s signature “Jane Doe” murals and also features retro furniture with the help of an interior stylist.

The decrepit house is the only dwelling remaining on the site which will become the YarraBend housing estate.

Earlier this year, Rone secretly painted five large artworks inside the machine rooms of the disused paper mills, only to see them destroyed in the demolition.

The current installation closes on Sunday, and the house demolished soon after.

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The kitchen in the abandoned house, painted by Rone. Picture: David Caird