Exhibition looks at the way we were not so long ago

A new exhibition at Newcastle Museum by artist Trevor Dickinson highlights how the city has changed over the past 10 years.

Curated to celebrate the museum’s 10th anniversary in the former Railway Workshops at Honeysuckle, the exhibition is titled Oh yeah, I forgot about that: A decade of change seen through the eyes of Mr Trevor Dickinson, Artist.

More than 20 works by the Newcastle artist are on display, including two pieces commissioned for the exhibition.

Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said over the past decade, Dickinson’s art had been influential in establishing the museum’s visual character.

“Trevor’s colourful, larger-than-life murals have formed an intrinsic part of the museum and its surrounds since we opened the doors here in August 2011,” Baird said.

“This included commissioning him to create our quirky photo walls in Museum Park, which not only liven up the landscape but also create a way for locals to become part of the museum’s story by snapping a selfie and sharing it with our Facebook page.”

The inspiration for the exhibition came from the huge transformations that have taken place around the museum precinct since it opened its doors.

“We quickly forget what has changed in our city as new landscapes become normal,” Baird said.

“For our 10th anniversary, Newcastle Museum wanted to remind people of the alterations to our normal and often unnoticed cityscape.

“Through the artwork chosen for this exhibition, Trevor presents his own view of Newcastle, curating the identity of the natural landscape in the same way we curate its history, highlighting the specialness within the ordinary to present a personal visual portrait of the city during a time of great change.

“From depictions of a dilapidated Merewether Surf House to the former Newcastle Signal Box and Queens Wharf tower, the works all portray aspects of the city landscape that have changed in the decade since Newcastle Museum threw open its doors to welcome millions of visitors to explore and enjoy our exhibitions of history, science, culture and our city’s identity.”

Oh yeah, I forgot about that: A decade of change seen through the eyes of Mr Trevor Dickinson, Artist is now open to the public until February 27, 2022. 

For more information on the exhibition visit the Newcastle Museum website.

_{Information source: Media release, City of Newcastle}