Community contributions set to bring evolutionary artwork to life at Maitland Regional Art Gallery

Maitland locals and visitors are invited to bring and donate small, non precious objects that have memories or personal narratives attached to them, from Friday 16 September.

Visiting artist, Luke Thurgate, will use these items (which will remain in situ at the Gallery) to create an evolving wall drawing in the Gallery, incorporating contributions of the Maitland community and bringing local stories to life. 

There are no limits to what we’re inviting the community to share with Luke, who at a previous exhibition similar to The Maitland Archive, received everything from $2 safety goggles to a mummified rat from the 1870s.

‘I did a similar project in Burra, South Australia, and it was one of those experiences where you go in thinking it’ll be one thing and it turns out to be something completely different,’ Thurgate said.

‘In the lead up, I was imagining the focus would be on the wall drawing itself, but as the work developed what became apparent was that the richer, more rewarding aspect of the project was the conversations, relationships, and connections that developed as I drew.

‘I lived in Newcastle for a most of my early adult years and some of my dearest friends are from Maitland, and this is a chance for me to honour my Lower Hunter roots.’

Gallery Coordinator, Operations & Engagement, Celeste Aldahn has encouraged the Maitland community to get involved in this innovative and collaborative project.

‘Luke is an incredible artist and The Maitland Archive is such an exciting project for the Gallery to be hosting,’ Aldahn said.

‘We want the community to buy into this exhibition and be a part of it as it grows from a seed into something incredible, and I’m curious to see how the final product reflects Maitland as a city.’  

The community are invited to drop by the Gallery between 10.00am and 5.00pm, between Friday 16 September to Sunday 25 September, and again from Tuesday 4 October to Saturday 8 October, to contribute and witness the spectacle of a collaborative artwork unfolding before their very eyes.

You can find out more by visiting www.mrag.org.au/exhibition/the-maitland-archive