First new work commissioned for expanded Newcastle Art Gallery

Councillor Margaret Wood, Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM, Councillor Deahnna Richardson, artist Julie Squires, artist Shellie Smith, Councillor Carol Duncan, and Newcastle Art Gallery Society President, Prue Viggers OAM and Vice Chair Gael Davies OAM with part of the commissioned work.

Art lovers are being given an early glimpse of the six-metre-high suspended sculpture that will eventually fill the atrium and greet visitors at the new-look Newcastle Art Gallery.

Seventh generation Novocastrian and proud Awabakal descendant Shellie Smith has completed the design and concept proposal for the work of art, which will be made up of 30 cast aluminium fish shimmering in a spiralling school.

Inspired by Smith's personal stories of fishing with her grandmother in the Port Stephens area, the work will be visible from the ground floor and first-floor corridor, which will connect the existing building with the new galleries.

Fellow artist and fabricator Julie Squires will work with Shellie to produce the sculpture, which will be based on Smith's original fibre weaving.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said this is the first of three new major works of art being planned for the expanded gallery.

"It's fitting that two of our prominent local artists will collaborate to create an inspiring welcome to the Newcastle Art Gallery, where visitors will have access to exhibitions from home and abroad," Cr Nelmes said.

Ms Smith said the sculpture was partly inspired by an incredibly rare Aboriginal artefact she was privileged to view as part of the Smithsonian collection in Washington DC.

"It's one of only a few intact possum skin cloaks in the world and features patterns and iconography of fish, people and water etched into the leather surface," Ms Smith said.

"I feel so privileged to be given this opportunity to tell a story that's really personal to me, but also very connected to Newcastle.

"This is one of my first major commissions. It's a very large and substantial work for me.

"I'd really like to thank the Newcastle Art Gallery Society for supporting this commission, and I'm also really grateful to the Awabakal descendants for supporting me."

Councillor Deahnna Richardson, a proud Wiradjuri woman, said Shellie Smith's work provides a special connection to Country.

"As part of the Newcastle 2040 Community Strategic Plan, we are committed to recognising, acknowledging and celebrating the Awabakal and Worimi people’s strength, resilience and living culture," Cr Richardson said.

"Shellie's work uses First Nations traditional weaving techniques, drawing inspiration from Awabakal patterns and iconography. It will be a fitting tribute to the traditional owners of the land on which the Art Gallery stands."

City of Newcastle’s Public Art Reference Group Chair, Councillor Carol Duncan said this work of art is another key step in creating a space that will attract Novocastrians and visitors.

"The expanded Newcastle Art Gallery will only enhance our reputation as a city that's known for its culture," Cr Duncan said.

"It will allow us to increase Newcastle's opportunities in the areas of employment, education and the economy while celebrating the arts and Aboriginal culture."

The Newcastle Art Gallery Society is supporting the project with a donation of $30,000.

"Newcastle Art Gallery Society is delighted to be associated with the acquisition of this work, one that records the history of Newcastle, while recognising the wealth of talented local artists in the city," Society President Prue Viggers OAM said.

"Since the Art Gallery Society’s inception 55 years ago the proud tradition of assisting with the acquisition of works of art for the Gallery’s collection will be continued."

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said it will be exciting to have new works of art displayed alongside the gallery's nationally significant collection.

"The completed Art Gallery will feature an additional 1,600 square meters of exhibition space, enabling us to show off more of our $126 million collection as well as some of the best touring exhibitions," Director Morton OAM said.

"We look forward to announcing more commissions for the expanded Art Gallery in the near future."

The Newcastle Art Gallery expansion project is supported by $5 million from the Australian Government under the Regional Recovery Partnerships and $5 million from the New South Wales Government under the Regional Recovery Package, as well as $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation made possible through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest, Margaret Olley Trust, and community fundraising over many years. 

A further $1 million is currently being sought through the Foundation's public fundraising campaign.