North of Bell St | Chantel Camilleri

Chantel Camilleri is a Naarm-based artist whose multi-disciplinary career spans design and fine arts. Chantel studied photography and object design at Sydney College of the Arts and College of Fine Arts in Sydney before relocating to Melbourne to work in fashion, and for the past 12 years has run the brand BON LUX. 

North of Bell St, explores the mid-century fabric of Melbourne’s inner-north suburbs, shaped by European migration in the 1950s. “North of Bell St” refers to the suburbs to the North of the great divider Bell St, like Reservoir and Coburg, often maligned for their working class, Italianate style houses. Through her work, she celebrates sun-drenched terrazzo, striped awnings, well kept rose gardens, concrete balustrades and biscuit bricks; fleeting moments sometimes unnoticed, and at risk of being lost, but worthy of preservation.

As Bon Lux, Chantel combines natural perfume blending, textile and packaging design to create joyful products for senses and spaces. As a painter, she works in oil paint on board, depicting moments from her inner Northern Melbourne postcode.

Chantel lives in and works from a triple-fronted 1950s brick house in Reservoir with her partner, son and Australian Kelpie, Daisy. Respectfully acknowledging the country she lives and works on, and the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the Melbourne area, and pays respects to their Elders past and present.

The exhibition OPENS Saturday 22 August from 2-4pm and continues until Saturday 19 September.

Artworks will be made available from Tuesday 22 September either by mail or collection via the store.

Please chat to staff about payment plans/laybys we're happy to help or email us hello@cornerstoremerchants.com