Step inside the re-imagined Newcastle Art Gallery
It may seem like it’s been a long time coming but this February, Newcastle Art Gallery once again opened the doors, marking a full-circle moment for one of the city’s most loved cultural institutions.
Most of us have wandered through the iconic 1970s Gallery on the edge of Civic Park at some point, but nearly 50 years on, and following a major multi-million-dollar expansion, it’s time to get reacquainted.
Newcastle Art Gallery is stepping into a new chapter as officially the largest public art institution in NSW outside of Sydney.
More than doubling its original space and in keeping with the well-known brutalist architecture that we’ve come to know and love on the corner of Laman and Darby streets, the expansion of Newcastle Art Gallery will provide a fitting home for its incredible $145 million collection.
Director of Newcastle Art Gallery, Lauretta Morton OAM, says the reopening marks an exciting time for the city of Newcastle.
“The Newcastle region has always punched above its weight with world class beaches, beautiful vineyards, amazing sporting and educational facilities and its vibrant art scene."
"The expanded Gallery reinforces that Newcastle is an incredible destination for culture and it should be on everyone’s must-visit list.”
Photo: Ben Adams. Courtesy of Art Collector magazine - Lauretta Morton OAM
Major opening exhibition: Iconic, Loved, Unexpected
Headlining the reopening is Iconic, Loved, Unexpected, a major exhibition spanning two levels of Newcastle Art Gallery, showcasing the depth and diversity of the Gallery’s collection. Featuring more than 500 works from the early nineteenth century to today, it brings together internationally recognised icons and well-known local pieces with rarely seen gems, some never shown publicly before.
Expect works by artists with deep Newcastle connections like William Dobell, Margaret Olley, and John Olsen, alongside First Nations powerhouses Emily Kam Kngwarray, Sally Gabori, Archie Moore, Tracey Moffatt, and Albert Namatjira. International highlights span from Auguste Rodin to Japanese avant-garde ceramicist Kazuo Yagi, creating a conversation across time, cultures and continents that is now anchored within a new home at the newly expanded Gallery.
“We’ve got so many incredible works of art that people know us for and to be able to have an amazing new permanent space to get them out for visitors to view and enjoy, often for free, is really important,” says Lauretta.
“We look after the art here at Newcastle Art Gallery, but this is the community of Newcastle’s collection and although we have incredible national and global exhibitions, being locally grounded as a gallery is our number one priority.”
A landmark cultural moment
For Newcastle, the expanded Gallery isn’t just a new building, it’s a commitment to celebrating art and culture within our ever-changing city. Lauretta says that the Newcastle Art Gallery expansion finally allows its collection to be shared in the way it deserves, with First Nations culture placed at the heart of the story.
“I want visitors to feel like it’s their space and that they can come and drop in at any time and see that it’s a beautiful, safe, welcoming place,” says Lauretta.
“The Gallery is grounded in First Nations art so when you first walk in, you’ll be immersed in significant works by Newcastle-based First Nations artists. It’s incredibly special.”
With 13 separate gallery spaces within the larger transformed Newcastle Art Gallery, the possibilities are endless for future Australian and international exhibitions, and with plans for regular Friday night events and longer opening hours, the Gallery is set to become ingrained in Newcastle’s cultural identity.
Whether you’re a regular Gallery visitor or looking to add more art and culture into your everyday, there’s plenty of amazing activities planned to welcome the re-imagined Newcastle Art Gallery back into the Newcastle community.
