Newcastle Art Gallery’s latest acquisition, Kinyingarra Guwinyanba (Off Country), is a striking installation by internationally acclaimed Quandamooka artist Megan Cope.
This captivating work, donated by the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation, features 44 poles adorned with rock oyster shells and will be prominently displayed in the gallery’s new central atrium which will be visible from multiple levels.
The poles, each approximately two meters in length and crafted from cypress pine, were gathered from Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island) in collaboration with the Quandamooka community. This installation not only enhances the gallery’s collection but also represents a broader effort to integrate First Nations art into prominent public spaces.
The piece is part of Cope’s ongoing exploration of the historical impact of colonial industries on Aboriginal lands and marine environments. Through the use of oyster shells and marine-resistant wood, her work addresses the environmental and cultural consequences of colonial activities, while also employing ancestral techniques to promote ecological restoration. Suspended in the gallery’s 11-meter-high atrium, Kinyingarra Guwinyanba will invite viewers to connect with the intertidal zone’s unique perspective, a space where land and sea converge.
“Members and supporters of the Foundation are eagerly anticipating this important work being added to the gallery’s already nationally acclaimed collection,” Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation Chair, Suzie Galwey said.
As the gallery approaches the completion of its expansion, community members are encouraged to participate in the final fundraising efforts, ensuring that this cultural asset continues to thrive.
The arrival of Cope’s work coincides with her upcoming participation in Newcastle’s New Annual festival, where she will collaborate with local architecture students on a site-specific project. To find out more about New Annual visit newannual.com.
