An internationally-renowned, vision-impaired artist has been commissioned to create two sculptures for Newcastle Art Gallery that will help improve the accessibility at the expanded site.
Fayen d'Evie's sculptures will fill the space under the floating staircases on the ground level of the original 1977-built art gallery, which is in the midst of a $50 million renovation to double the exhibition space.
The staircases have been retained as part of the expansion but no longer adhere to modern building code standards for visitors who are blind or visually impaired.
The multi-faceted sculptures will be made primarily from steel and incorporate tactile versions of key works of art from the art gallery's collection, using a variety of raised textures to allow visitors to interpret the painting through touch.
The sculptures will also feature core samples from the bedrock and former mine shafts located underneath the gallery, which were stabilised through grouting during the construction process.
Fayen was born in Malaysia, raised in New Zealand and now lives and works in Melbourne.
The artist, academic and publisher, who is low vision, has worked all over the world, including a residency at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art where she collaborated with conservators to initiate sensory encounters with artworks.
Fayen said the site-specific gallery sculptures were intended to initiate conversation, particularly between blind and sighted people.
"It was important the sculpture was connected to Newcastle, which is why we chose steel as the foundational material," Ms d'Evie said.
Ms d'Evie is also working with Newcastle creative business Feather Edge on the fabrication of the sculptures.
"We'll also feature braille that will come from a community workshop where people will be invited to consider, reflect and describe some of the works that are being added to the sculpture," she said.
"A lot of the stories that are included in this work are pointing to people and forms that have been excluded from conventional art historical narratives."
Newcastle lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the commission was an example of an artist and disability-led solution to modern building compliance within historic architecture.
"We are committed to ensuring the expanded Newcastle Art Gallery is an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community and are thrilled to be working with Fayen d'Evie to achieve this aim," she said.
The sculptures are supported by a $50,000 grant from Creative Australia, and $50,000 from the NSW Government Arts and Culture Infrastructure Grants program.
