ROMULUS: A Vibrant Place for Art to Grow
12 October 2026
Written by Xin Ji
I joined ROMULUS three months ago, as it was settling into its new home at the World Trade Centre Melbourne.
Installation of the Threads of Love exhibition.
Working at ROMULUS has been one of the most welcoming parts of my time in Melbourne’s arts community. From the beginning, the team made space for me to ask questions, share ideas and become involved. What I remember most is the warmth of everyday exchanges: people are generous with their knowledge, attentive to one another and deeply invested in the work taking shape.
ROMULUS moves between studio practice, exhibitions, workshops and collaborations, so ideas are always finding new forms. The gallery has an open, energetic atmosphere. Artists, colleagues and visitors bring different perspectives into the space, and conversations often continue beyond the gallery walls into homes, design projects and the wider creative community. ROMULUS is interested in multicultural perspectives and interdisciplinary practice. The collaboration with Creative Asia Art Centre on Threads of Love showed me how the gallery can bring its curatorial experience into a shared cultural program and create room for artists and visitors to meet across different backgrounds.
We have also had lots of excitements and learnings through excursions!
Boarding the flight from Sydney back to Melbourne.
Visiting Sydney Contemporary and the Affordable Art Fair Melbourne with the team gave me another view of how galleries introduce artists to new audiences.
Sydney Contemporary, 2026.
Affordable Art Fair Melbourne, 2026.
We also visited the NGV’s CARTIER exhibition, where the attention to material, design and craftsmanship offered another perspective on the relationships between art and design.
NGV’s Cartier exhibition, 2026.
An artwork from the NGV’s Cartier exhibition, 2026.
The gallery’s interest in art, design and architecture also comes through in projects such as the Marble Sea, Angelina Mirabito’s commission with interior designer Mark Alexander. The paintings were developed through material experiments and close discussion, with the Gold Coast setting shaping the direction of the work. Seeing that process unfold showed me how much curiosity and care can enter a collaboration.
Angelina Mirabito’s studio at ROMULUS Folio Gallery, World Trade Centre Melbourne, during the creation of the Marble Sea series.
Scott Ross (left) and Angelina Mirabito (right).
The people at ROMULUS make this creative energy feel welcoming. Angelina brings the perspective of an artist and curator, while Scott brings a strong understanding of the practical work behind each project. Both were generous in sharing their experience and encouraging me to contribute. I felt trusted to take part, and that made the internship a place where I could learn through conversation and active involvement.
I leave ROMULUS with a deeper appreciation for what an independent gallery can make possible. Its character comes from the people who sustain it and the connections they build around art. The team’s warmth, openness and ambition create a distinctive atmosphere, one where artists can experiment, audiences can engage, and ideas can keep developing. I feel fortunate to have been welcomed into that environment and to have seen its energy from the inside.