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Schools of aluminium fish shimmering and shoaling throughout the main spaces of the Newcastle Art Gallery.
That is what visitors can expect when the doors eventually reopen on the city’s iconic arts hub.
After years of planning, programming, painting, projects and public input, the $40 million refresh appears to be reaching a crescendo, with Council offering glimpses of what can be expected come opening day.
This week’s teaser is about a commissioned art piece set to adorn the welcoming space of the NAG.
A six-metre-wide suspended sculpture featuring 30 cast aluminium fish are expected to fill the atrium and greet visitors at the new-look gallery.
Inspired by seventh generation Novocastrian and proud Awabakal descendant Shellie Smith, the piece represents her personal stories of fishing with her grandmother in the Port Stephens area.
It 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.
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,” she explained.
“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.”
The piece is the first of three new major works of art being planned for the expanded gallery.
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,” she added.
“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.
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