CURIOUS COLONY A twenty first century Wunderkammer

10 July - 29 August 2010

A twenty first century room of wonders where colonial curiosities jostle contemporary art. This major exhibition brings together the work of colonial artists Augustus Earle, Richard Browne, John Lewin, Joseph Lycett, Walter Preston and James Wallis in juxtaposition with contemporary artists Brook Andrew, Lionel Bawden, Maria Fernanda Cardoso, Fiona Hall, Narelle Jubelin, Fiona MacDonald, Danie Mellor, Kate Rohde, Joan Ross, Sarah Smuts-Kennedy, Robyn Stacey, Imants Tillers, Esme Timbery, Louise Weaver and Philip Wolfhagen.

Curious Colony will feature a chest commissioned for the exhibition that contains wonders from the world of contemporary art made by celebrated Canberra based artisan Scott Mitchell in collaboration with five of Australia’s leading artists - Lionel Bawden, Maria Fernanda Cardoso, Esme Timbery, Louise Weaver and Philip Wolfhagen. This contemporary cabinet of curiosity been inspired by the Macquarie Collectors’ Chest made in Newcastle, New South Wales around 1818 for Governor Lachlan Macquarie.
Explore The Newcastle Chest 2010

Adults
NAIDOC Week artist forum*
11.00am – 1.00pm
Saturday 10 July
Exhibition Curator Lisa Slade with artists Joan Ross and Danie Mellor.
Free

Winter Heat
6.30pm
Saturday 10 July
Late night opening, in conjunction with Newcastle L!veSites, featuring a performance of Peter Sculthorpe’s Remembering Mrs Macquarie.

Book Launch*
5.30pm - 7.00pm
Friday 23 July
Join author Elizabeth Ellis for the Newcastle launch of Rare and Curious: The Secret History of Governor Macquarie’s Collectors’ Chest.
Free

Art Appreciation lecture series*
6.00pm – 7.00pm
Tuesdays 20 & 27 July, 3 & 10 August
$22, $15 Art Gallery Society/conc.

Guided tours
11.00am – 12.00pm
Saturdays and Sundays
Free

Children / youth
School holiday workshops*
10.30am – 12.30pm
Tuesday 13 to Friday 16 July
Ages 5-8 and ages 9-12
$22

Education
Teachers’ preview**
4.30pm – 6.00pm
Thursday 24 June
Join Exhibition Curator Lisa Slade and Paul Brunton, Curator NSW State Library, for a discussion on art in the age of Macquarie. This exhibition prelude will provide insights for teachers working across the curriculum.
Refreshments and resources included
Free

Senior student study day**
9.30am – 3.30pm
Monday 2 August
Come to discover what contemporary art has to do with colonial Australia.
$15

Artist forum**
2.00pm
Sunday 8 August
Artists Maria Fernanda Cordoso, Lionel Bawden and Scott Mitchell reveal secrets from The Newcastle Chest.
Free

Focus tour available**
Free

Resources
Exhibition catalogue
The exhibition will be supported by a full colour catalogue with essays by Danie Mellor, Ian McLean and Lisa Slade.
$29.95

Education kits
Interactive education resource for Years 5 – 8
Printable education resource
The Newcastle Chest 2010 education resource for Years 5-10

Art Gallery Society
Coffee with Art
10.30am - 12.00pm
Wednesday 4 August
Explore the culture of curiosity in the age of Governor Macquarie with Exhibition Curator Lisa Slade.
$10 Members/conc., $15 non-members
RSVP: 02 4974 5123

Bookings required for marked events
* RSVP 02 4974 5114
** Contact Public Programs 02 4974 5112