Newcastle Art Gallery unveils sculptural solution to accessibility issue

Internationally renowned artist Fayen d'Evie has been commissioned to create two groundbreaking sculptures to help improve the accessibility of the expanded Newcastle Art Gallery.

The works of art will create a sculptural solution to the floating staircases on the ground level of the original 1977-built Art Gallery, which have been retained as part of the expansion project but no longer adhere to modern building code standards for visitors who are blind or visually impaired.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with artist Fayen d'Evie and Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM at the Feather Edge studio where the sculptures are being created.Fayen's sculptures will creatively fill the space under the staircases and provide an important buffer to allow visitors to safely move around the structures.

The multi-faceted sculptures will be made primarily from steel and incorporate tactile versions of key works of art from the Art Gallery’s collection, using a variety of raised textures to allow visitors to interpret the painting through touch.

The sculptures will also feature core samples from the bedrock and former mine shafts located underneath the Gallery, which were stabilised through grouting during the construction process.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said this commission is a world-leading example of an artist and disability-led solution to modern building compliance within historic architecture.

"City of Newcastle was the first council in NSW to adopt a Disability Inclusion Action Plan, which defines how we will undertake specific actions to reduce potential barriers faced by people with disabilities when living in, working in and visiting our city,” Cr Nelmes said.

"We are committed to ensuring the expanded Newcastle Art Gallery is an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community and are thrilled to be working with Fayen d'Evie to achieve this aim.”

Born in Malaysia, Fayen was raised in New Zealand and now lives and works in Melbourne.

The artist, academic and publisher, who is low vision, has worked all over the world, including a residency at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art where she collaborated with conservators to initiate sensory encounters with artworks.

Fayen d'Evie sculpture render. Fayen said the site-specific Newcastle Art Gallery sculptures are intended to invite conversation, particularly between blind and sighted people.

"It was important the sculpture was connected to Newcastle, which is why we chose steel as the foundational material," Ms d'Evie said.

Ms d'Evie is also working closely with local Newcastle creative business Feather Edge on the fabrication of the sculptures.

"We'll also feature braille that will come from a community workshop where people will be invited to consider, reflect and describe some of the works that are being added to the sculpture.

"A lot of the stories that are included in this work are pointing to people and forms that have been excluded from conventional art historical narratives."

Access Inclusion Advisory Committee Chairperson Councillor Margaret Wood said City of Newcastle is aiming to remove barriers for people with a disability.

"We want to provide opportunities for people of all ages, ability levels and backgrounds to engage fully in civic, economic and social life," Cr Wood said.

"Creating liveable communities is about creating opportunities for social participation, improving the quality of personal and commercial interactions and ensuring equivalent access to places such as Newcastle Art Gallery."

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said these works of art will ensure access requirements are met as part of the expansion of the existing 1977 architecture.

"We invited Fayen to develop a project that was both a work of art and a performance solution capable of meeting safety and accessibility standards for the staircases," Ms Morton said.

"Improving accessibility is yet another way to ensure our nationally significant collection can be appreciated by as many people in the community as possible.”

The sculptures are supported by a $50,000 grant from Creative Australia, and $50,000 from the NSW Government Arts and Culture Infrastructure Grants program.

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.