Creativity and community at The Lock-Up
This historical building is so much more than a gallery.
As the Lock-Up’s annual fundraiser exhibition COLLECT comes to end, the gallery team are celebrating yet another successful year showcasing the work of early career and established artists.
The popular exhibition broke sales records in 2025, it continued to prove that Newcastle’s creative scene is thriving, vibrant, and community driven.
“We smashed last year’s total sales in the first week, with over $39,000 raised and that goes directly to local artists,” said The Lock-Up’s director Alexandra Pedley
“It’s incredible to see such passionate support for emerging and established talent.”
This year’s exhibition curated by Andrea Grljusic featured over 120 artist and more than 160 works, the largest showing to date.
“We love that our events are intergenerational, young artists showing alongside established names, and a mix of ages engaging with the art together,” Alexandra said.
“There’s no hierarchy here, everyone’s work is given equal space and value, that’s part of what makes The Lock-Up so special.”
The range of mediums was as diverse as the artists themselves, with pieces spanning photography, sculpture, ceramics, installation, painting and print.
Works were priced from as little as $60 to more than $6,000, making contemporary art accessible to first-time buyers and seasoned collectors.
“The range of mediums was as diverse as the artists themselves.”
COLLECT FOCUS
Among the standout elements of COLLECT 2025 was COLLECT Focus, a curated exhibition that gives early-career artists the opportunity to develop and present new work within the gallery space.
This year, the successful proposals came from Katie Ellen Wilkins and Megan Farquhar.
“We ran an open call out this year and we had 21 applications,” explained early career curator Malvika Satelka.
“It was really hard to choose, as the proposals were all of such high quality, but I was struck by the creativity of these two artists.”
The gallery gave the Focus artists a small commission, guidance and the freedom to experiment.
“For many, it’s the first time they’ve worked with installation or created in response to the architecture of the space.
“It’s exciting to watch them push their practice into new territory.”
In the exhibit by Wilkins, visitors were invited to experiment with natural inks and reactive chemicals, an experience
that has resonated with audiences of all ages.
“It’s all about engaging the inner child,” said Malvika.
“You don’t have to be an artist to create something here, that sense of play is really important.”
“TYou don’t have to be an artist to create something here, that sense of play is really important.”
GIVING BACK TO NEWCASTLE
Another highlight of this year’s exhibitionwas the ceramics display, presented in the former exercise yard, now a partially
open-air courtyard space transformed into a striking sculpture garden.
The installation honours The Lock-Up’s patrons, a unique group of local supporters who fund contemporary commissions and contribute to the sustainability of the gallery.
“Our patrons aren’t big-bank benefactors,” explained Alexandra.
“They’re regular people who care about art and Newcastle’s cultural life.
“One of them told us that living in a city means giving something back to that city and supporting the arts is how they do that.”
The Lock-Up, housed in the heritage-listed police station and prison cells decommissioned in 1982, is much more than simply a gallery.
Its labyrinth of rooms and layers of history are both a challenge and inspiration for the artists who exhibit within its walls.
“It’s not always an easy space to hang work, it’s dark, narrow, complex but that’s part of the magic,” said The Lock-Up’s curator Kar Mun Phoon.
“It pushes you creatively so you can’t ignore the building, you must work with it.”
As a former police lock-up, the gallery has retained its atmospheric character, with graffiti etched into the cell walls and original leather-padded isolation rooms still intact.
These spaces are regularly activated with installations, sound works and performances that bring Newcastle’s past into its present.
“It’s one of the only spaces in Australia where history is interrogated through contemporary art in such a direct way,” said Alexandra.
“We don’t see this kind of adaptive reuse often, and that’s what makes it so special.”
NEWCASTLE’S ART SCENE
The Lock-Up also prides itself on being free to enter, a rarity in a landscape where access to art often comes with a price tag.
“We never charge artists to apply or audiences to visit,” Kar Mun said.
“Accessibility and inclusivity are part of who we are.”
With the reopening of the Newcastle Art Gallery later this year, the team hope for solidarity between cultural institutions and an even stronger art scene across the city.
“We’re not in competition with anyone, the more creative spaces, the better, as the whole city benefits when the arts are thriving,” Kar Mun said.
“Newcastle has always punched above its weight artistically and we have more artists per capita than almost anywhere in Australia.”
For those unable to purchase an artwork at COLLECT which finished on 10 August, there are still many ways to support The Lock-Up: attend an opening, buy a COLLECT t-shirt, or simply bring a friend along to visit.
“Your presence in the space is the biggest support of all,” Kar Mun said.
“Come and feel what this community has created, it’s something very special.”
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