With 3 exhibitions at the Newcastle Art Gallery in December 2021 it’s a great place to visit The three exhibits fill the galleries walls until January 30, 2022.
About Being Here
The first exhibit consists of ceramic art work by Angela Valamaneh of the Jam Factory. Titles “About Being Here” displays works from her developing style of the late 1990s until present.
Natural Histories #FUntitled CeramicInsect/Orchid
Instrumental Cause
The exhibition Instrumental Cause is by guest curator Donna Biles-Fernando featuring portraits from Newcastle Art Gallery’s collection. These examine how different artists work.
The Suspension of Disbelief by Marcus BeilbyInstrumental Cause
The Art of Protest at Newcastle Art Gallery December 2021
The Art of Protest features politically engaged artists past and present responding to disaster and injustice and calling for change, whether from community activism or global social movements.
Covering over 100 years of resistance, it shows how new artists take up the fight each decade. Many areas of protest are covered, from workers’ rights and feminism to climate change.
The Art of Protest TitleMade From Melted Family Ute Lost in the 2019/20 Fires by Fiona LeeI Can’t Breathe by Maddison GibbsPaper Armada by Alex Seaton and Screen Prints by Peter DrewTrial By Fire by Fiona LeeThe Bunker by Fiona LeeBillionaires UnitedThylacine Study No.4 by Joseph McGlennon
Established in 1848 and conveniently located opposite Constitution Dock, in the centre of Hobart, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is a great place to discover Tasmania’s unique history. Covering natural history, aboriginal and European settlement to Antarctic exploration, there is something here to interest everyone. There is even a dinosaur at the entrance.
Muttaburrasaurus Dinosaur Skeleton
Indigenous Culture
Several galleries explore Indigenous Tasmanian Aboriginal culture, from artefacts to artworks. Their treatment and subsequent genocide is treated in detail. Everyone visiting Tasmania should see it, so that they understand this part of history.
Aboriginal Bark Canoe
Woureddy (left) and Trucannini (right)
Manalagerna (left) and Tanleboueyer (right)
Tasmanian Wildlife
Most people won’t be able to see the unique Australian wildlife, so the display here is a great place to see what they look like. From echidna and platypus, the egg laying monotremes, to quolls and devils, you can see them all.
Importantly, a display of the Thylacine, the Tasmanian Tiger shows what this now extinct marsupial looked like. The last one died in 1933 in Hobart Zoo, so now all that remains are the skeletons, stuffed displays and photos.
Containing bank notes and coins from colonial times to decimal currency, this small gallery is a good place to learn about Australian currency. One of the largest collections of Roman coins in the country can also be found here. So, if you are interested in how the currency has changed, it’s worth a visit.
Coin Display
Coin Display
Scales
Art Gallery
The art gallery section of the museum contains an interesting collection of paintings and sculptures covering Tasmanian themes. We found the paintings and sculptures of Tasmanian aborigines the best part, as we had not seen them before.
Art Gallery Paintings
Art Gallery Displays
Antarctic Exploration
Tasmania’s link to Antarctic exploration is on display with an amazing array of wildlife and explorer exhibits. A model of Mawson’s Hut shows how the explorers lived in the early 1900s. A photo gallery nearby puts a human face to the scientists and explorers, which is great because many museums only show physical displays.
The wildlife displays give an idea of the abundant wildlife that exists there. We found this interesting, because we probably won’t travel there. The size of the seals and albatross was surprizing, because you don’t get an idea of how big they are from photos.
Antarctic Wildlife Display
Albatross
Huskies
Mawson’s Hut
Antarctic Exploration Photos
What Did We Think?
For a great insight into Tasmanian history this is a great place to visit, because it covers everything from pre colonial times, to Antarctic exploration and wildlife. Even though we have lived in Tassie, we found it interesting because of the wonderful exhibits and displays. Highly recommended to anyone visiting Hobart.
Sitting on the waterfront at Circular Quay, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia provides a venue for international and local artists.
Getting There
In walking distance of Circular Quay, public transport is the easiest way to get here. Ferries, buses, trains and light rail all stop here, making it easy and convenient. Several carparks are located nearby if you want to drive.
The Museum
Near the entrance a metallic sculpture provides some great photo opportunities, because its design allowing unique views of the Opera House.
During our visit one gallery was dedicated to David Malangi Daymirringu’s aboriginal artwork. They follow important sites, ceremonies, and stories that encompass ancestral knowledge connected to the artist’s Manharrngu clan of central Arnhem Land. Some of the photos below show his amazing work.
As expected the remaining art on display ranged from weird and unique to strangely interesting. A fun place to walk around, especially if you want to see what current artist are producing.
A cafeteria on the roof gives great views of Sydney Harbour as well as Circular Quay. We sat here for a while enjoying morning tea and watching the ferries going in and out of the Quay.
What Did We Think?
This was an interesting visit. The highlight was the indigenous artwork on display, which looked amazing. It was nice to see that the museum takes great pride in its support of aboriginal and Torres Strait artists. Open everyday except Mondays.
Outside of the Museum of Contemporary Art with the Opera House
Outside of the Museum of Contemporary Art
David Malangi Daymirringu
By Indigenous Artist David Malangi Daymirringu
David Malangi Daymirringu
Kate Just Anonymous is a Woman
Robert MacPherson Tree Rain:16 Frog Poems (Yellow Monday) for J.C., 1990
Anna Kwasner
Judith Wright Nature/Nurture
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
