Newcastle Art Gallery has received an extraordinary donation of 25 works from the private collection of renowned philanthropists Simon Mordant AO and Catriona Mordant AM.
This incredible gift marks the largest single contribution the Mordants have made to one institution and signifies a pivotal moment in the gallery’s history as it prepares to unveil its much-anticipated expansion.
Set to open its reimagined space on 26 September 2025 during the New Annual Festival, Newcastle Art Gallery stands at the forefront of a new era, doubling its exhibition space to showcase its world-class collection alongside ambitious temporary exhibitions. The donation from the Mordants is a testament to the gallery’s cultural significance and evolving vision.
A Gift That Transforms
Lauretta Morton OAM, Director of Newcastle Art Gallery, expressed her gratitude and excitement for the gesture.
“Having known Simon for several years, I have always admired his and Catriona’s incredible support for artists and the broader arts sector globally. This gift represents the vision for our reimagined gallery—to be locally grounded, nationally engaged and globally minded. Such is the significance of this collection that we will honour it with a special exhibition in 2026 to share these remarkable works with our community.”
Simon Mordant AO echoed these sentiments, highlighting the universal power of art to connect communities.
“Catriona and I believe that art should be seen and enjoyed by the widest possible audience,” Mordant shared. “When deciding which institutions could best house part of our collection built over 40 years, Newcastle stood out for its dynamic leadership and commitment to the community. We look forward to seeing these works live on in Newcastle’s expanded gallery.”
A Collection to Enrich Newcastle
The Mordants’ generous gift encompasses a diverse array of paintings, installations, photography, sculptures, textiles, and more by both Australian and international artists. Highlights include Make Out (Shadow Box 8) (2008), a provocative interactive digital piece by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer. This work explores themes of surveillance and intimacy, activated when viewers step into its gaze.
Also included is Liquid Green (2003) by celebrated environmental artist Janet Laurence, offering a haunting commentary on human impact in the Anthropocene era. The donation further includes two poignant works on paper by Ngarrindjeri artist Ian Abdulla, whose vivid renderings of childhood memories along the Murray River embody a rich sense of place and heritage.
Artists represented in the donation include María Fernanda Cardoso, Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro, Hiroyuki Kita, Gemma Smith, and Brendan Van Hek, among others. This exceptional collection will bolster the gallery’s reputation as one of Australia’s most significant regional cultural centres.
A Reimagined Gallery
When Newcastle Art Gallery’s expansion is completed, its footprint will more than double, offering an additional 1,600 square metres of exhibition space. Designed by Clare Design in collaboration with Smith and Tzannes Architects and Arup Engineers, the new gallery will allow permanent exhibitions from its $145-million collection to shine alongside groundbreaking temporary projects.
“Since opening in 1977, our collection has grown over 500 per cent, yet our space has remained unchanged,” Morton explained. “The reimagined Newcastle Art Gallery will allow us to display more of our incredible collection and share even more with our visitors.”
Commissioned Works and Cultural Highlights
The reimagined gallery will feature striking new commissions, further enriching Newcastle’s artistic landscape. These include a suspended four-metre-high work by Awabakal descendant Shellie Smith, a large-scale window installation by local artist Maggie Hensel-Brown, and two groundbreaking sculptures by internationally acclaimed artist Fayen d’Evie.
First Nations culture will lie at the heart of the expanded gallery with Megan Cope’s Kinyingarra Guwinyanba (Off Country) (2022), a monumental piece comprising 44 rock oyster-encrusted poles that will fill the central atrium.
To celebrate the gallery’s breadth, the inaugural exhibition Iconic Loved Unexpected will showcase a selection of ceramics, paintings, photography, drawing, sculpture, and video, providing both familiar favourites and new discoveries.
A Visionary Future
This donation and revitalisation of Newcastle Art Gallery reaffirm its status as a cultural powerhouse of the Hunter Region and beyond. Steeped in community and creativity, the gallery is poised for an exciting transformation where its rich legacy merges with new opportunities for artistic dialogue and discovery.
With further details on reopening exhibitions and programs forthcoming, Newcastle Art Gallery invites art enthusiasts to join in celebrating this historic expansion and the generosity of the Mordant family.
To learn more about the gallery and its reopening, visit Newcastle Art Gallery’s website.