Art galleries are meant to be quiet, refined spaces where people can enjoy looking at, but not touching, the precious artworks… or are they?
The Art Gallery of NSW’s current exhibition in the Nelson Packer Tank is throwing all those rules out the window with The Key’s Under The Mat, by sculptor and playground creator Mike Hewson.
Hewson has created an incredibly immersive art park, with playground elements to keep the kids more than happy, but other sculptural works for the adults and families that are often dragged to the park with the kids.
That means barbecues, a DJ booth, a recording studio, a sauna and steam tank – including an array of clothes you can borrow to wear in the sauna – and even a laundromat to wash the towels and clothes afterwards.
Every single thing in the space was brought in, from the flooring, to the palm trees, to the hand-crafted tables and seating. And the bulk of it is made from reclaimed material and installed by a team of talented artists and tradies.
It’s hands down the most hands on exhibition you’ll ever see at the Art Gallery of NSW – so visit The Key’s Under The Mat, let yourself in, and let yourself go.
FOR MORE INFO
ART GALLERY OF NSW
@artgalleryofnsw
artgallery.nsw.gov.au
MIKE HEWSON: THE KEY’S UNDER THE MAT
@mikehewson
artgallery.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/mike-hewson
