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Category: Art

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Les Darcy Monument Australian Boxer

Les Darcy Statue

Australian Boxer Les Darcy Monument

Dedicated in August 2000, the Les Darcy Monument celebrates the achievements of one of Australia’s greatest boxers. Set back from the New England Highway in a grassy park in front of the East Maitland Bowling Club, the statue can be easy to miss.

The statue stands on a marble platform, surrounded by plaques which show his achievements. A great place to relax on your way through town because of the grass and shady trees.

  • Les Darcy Statue
    Les Darcy Statue
  • Boxer Statue
    Les Darcy Statue

Sir Paul Edmund de Strzelecki Memorial

Located near the Les Darcy Memorial, the Sir Paul Edmund de Strzelecki Memorial celebrates Strzelecki, a famous explorer, scientist, and philanthropist. Erected by the local Polish community, because of his contribution to early exploration work in the area. It’s interesting to see because of Strzelecki’s contribution to early Australia.

Strzelecki Memorial East Maitland
Strzelecki Memorial East Maitland

Old Land and Survey Office

Opposite the Sir Paul Edmund de Strzelecki Memorial is the old Land and Survey Office. Placed on a corner in a prominent position, makes the building stand out, because of its size and red brick construction. Built in the Federation Free Classical style and designed by W.L Vernon, it’s an interesting building to see if you are in the area.

Old Land and Survey Office East Maitland
Old Land and Survey Office East Maitland

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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The Lock-Up Old Newcastle Police Station

In the Exercise Yard

The Lock-Up

You will find The Lock-Up at 90 Hunter Street in the heart of the Newcastle CBD, making it very accessible. We walked from a carpark on Wharf Rd, but if you use public transport, the closest light rail stop is Newcastle Beach, making it only a five-minute walk away.

The Building

Built in 1861 as an addition to the adjacent Police Station, the Lock-Up is one of several important historical buildings in the area. Walking through the building with no exhibition on, gives you a feel for how austere the building was, because the rooms are small and dark. With strong wooden are metal doors the cells are very dark as there is little natural light.

Even the exercise yard is bleak because it is exposed to the weather. This would have made it hot in summer and cold in winter.

  • The Cell Doors in The Lock-Up
    The Cell Doors
  • The Old Gaol Cell in The Lock-Up
    The Old Gaol Cell in The Lock-Up
  • Old Gaol Cell
    Old Gaol Cell
  • Fireplace
    Fireplace in The Lock-Up
  • In the Exercise Yard in The Lock-Up
    In the Exercise Yard

Art Exhibition

The Lockup describe themselves as: “The Lock-Up’s innovatively curated program promotes current, experimental and diverse practices from local, national and international creatives.”

Before visiting, check to see if something different is on display, because Exhibitions are constantly renewed. When we visited contemporary display by Rosie Deacon was present, adding interest to the visit.

  • Art Exhibition
    Art Exhibition
  • Art Exhibition
    Art Exhibition
  • In the Exercise Yard
    In the Exercise Yard
  • In the Exercise Yard in The Lockup
    In the Exercise Yard in The Lock-Up

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Maitland Regional Art Gallery

T-Rex by Andrew Sullivan

Maitland Regional Art Gallery

The Maitland Regional Art Gallery occupies a building complex in High Street alongside several other historically significant buildings. Originally two separate buildings a major renovation, saw a joining structure added linking them into one structure.

There is ample parking available at the rear of the gallery, so you can avoid trying to park in the road. Entry is either via the main entrance, or through the café. We chose the latter and had a relaxing coffee before walking through the gallery.

Three special exhibitions were on display during our visit, which made the visit even better.

A Survey into the Cretaceous by Andrew Sullivan

Survey into the Cretaceous by Andrew Sullivan imagines a situation where the artist is part of an expedition into the past. He is there to record the animals found, which makes for some fascinating paintings. Being interested in the subject, we found it a refreshing take on dinosaur artwork, because it was different.

  • A Survey into the Cretaceous by Andrew Sullivan
    A Survey into the Cretaceous by Andrew Sullivan
  • T-Rex by Andrew Sullivan
    T-Rex by Andrew Sullivan
  • Coelacanth by Andrew Sullivan
    Coelacanth by Andrew Sullivan
  • Adult and Juvenile Pteranodon by Andrew Sullivan
    Adult and Juvenile Pteranodon by Andrew Sullivan
  • Corythosaurus by AJ Sullivan
    Corythosaurus by AJ Sullivan

Paintings by Ken Done You Probably Haven’t Seen

The gallery had a display of lesser known Ken Done paintings on display, which were to his usual colourful standard.

  • Ken Done Exhibition
    Ken Done Exhibition
  • Ken Done Paintings
    Another Ken Done Painting
  • Ken Done Paintings
    Ken Done Paintings

Fieldwork – Landscapes West of Sydney

An Art Gallery of New South Wales Touring Exhibit, Fieldwork was a surprise, because we were not expecting to see it here. The exhibition draws together many works from the galleries’ collection, many of them not displayed in decades. We enjoyed these paintings from the mid to late 1800s, as they show the beginning of a rich period of Australian artwork. There was quiet a variety of interesting paintings on display, a little something for everyone. This gallery is small but has a lot to offer. We enjoyed it!

  • Fieldwork Landscapes West of Sydney Exhibition Maitland Regional Art Gallery
    Fieldwork Landscapes West of Sydney Exhibition
  • Maitland Regional Art Gallery
    Maitland Regional Art Gallery
  • Burragorang Valley Near Picton by JH Carse 1879
    Burragorang Valley Near Picton by JH Carse 1879

Other Displays at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery

  • Joshua Smith JWA Smith 1937 Maitland Regional Art Gallery
    Joshua Smith JWA Smith 1937
  • Maitland Regional Art Gallery
    Maitland Regional Art Gallery

Outdoor Sculpture

Visible from the road, this two metre high sculpture is a fun example of what art can be.

Fetch Boy by Gillie and Marc Schattner Maitland Regional Art Gallery
Fetch Boy by Gillie and Marc Schattner

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.