Freshwater to Fatbergs
The Fatbergs to Freshwater exhibition is an inaugural arts + science education initiative.
8-31 May 2026
Opening Sat 9 May 4-6pm
The exhibition Freshwater to Fatbergs will be presented at Newcastle Art Space in 8 May -31 May 2026, supported by Hunter Water.
Exhibition Opening: Sat 9th May 4-6pm 2026
The exhibition features work by Todd Fuller, Isabel Gomez, Edwina Richards, Fiona Lee and Ileigh Hellier plus more.
The deliberately provocative title is intended to spark curiosity and conversation about water use, water conservation and the pressures facing urban water systems. While freshwater is a precious and carefully managed resource, issues such as fatbergs act as a confronting and highly visible signal of everyday behaviours that undermine water and wastewater infrastructure.
By juxtaposing the value of clean freshwater and healthy catchments with the consequences of misuse, the exhibition creates an accessible entry point for the community to engage with complex water issues including what happens beyond the tap and down the drain.
The exhibition seeks to encourage smarter water use, improve understanding of catchments, highlight the impacts of fats, oils and wipes on sewer systems and promote shared responsibility for protecting water resources now and into the future
Hunter Water’s existing education resources will complement the exhibition and provide practical pathways for audiences to translate awareness into action.
The open call for artists to participate in Freshwater to Fatbergs has now closed - artists were invited to create work that explores freshwater, catchments, wastewater and water futures.
EXHIBITING ARTISTS
Aaron Basei
Alexandra Tanner
Andrew Styan
Anne Gorton
Catherine Hickson
Cheryl Watson
Christine Deards
Christine Margaret Byrnes
Claus Bredow
Conor Fox
Conor Fox
Delores Foxtonfinn
Diana Boyd and Dianna Kellerman
Edwina Richards
Emelie Clarke
Emma Fuller
Fran Loudon
Fiona Lee
Hari Ho
Ileigh Hellier
Isabel Gomez
John Spyrakis
Jonathan Osmond
Joseph Johnson
Judith Flowers
Julia Francis
Kiah Pippen/Luke Were
Leslie Duffin
Libby Cusick
Lisa Ellen Hughes
Mahafuj Ali
Mahalia Leckner
MaidenK
Marc Renshaw
Maybelline Green
Michael Weston
Michela Ciulla
Moj Habibi
Otto van de Wijgaart
Pamela See (Xue Mei-Ling)
Paul Foley
Penny Lee
Pete Parslow
Rachel Enright
Rebecca Brissenden
Rebecca Griffiths
Ron Adams
Ronald Araña Atilano
Samantha Walsh
Sigrid Dyrting
Simon Pilla
Stephanie Vella
Sue Strickland
Suzie Bailey
Tam Durney
Tara Jones
The Wahroonga Collaboration, Raymond Terrace
Tim Nash
Todd Fuller
Zoë Roxburgh
INFORMATION FOR EXHIBITING ARTISTS:
Selected work announced: Thursday 2nd April 2026
Delivery of artwork to NAS: Sunday 12th April 12pm -4pm, 10am – 2pm Wed 15th – Fri 17th April 2026
All artwork must be delivered to NAS by 2pm Friday 17th April. Work delivered after this date may not be accepted into the show
Collection of unsold artwork: 3pm – 4pm Sun 31 May or 10am – 2pm Wed 3rd – Fri 5th June 2026 (Artwork must be collected on the collection dates, if you are unable to collect, please send a family member or friend to collect on your behalf. Artwork not collected may incur a storage fee).
Exhibition Opening:
Saturday 9th May 4pm – 6pm
Exhibition Duration:
Saturday 9th May – Sunday 31st May
Artwork Delivery via Courier
If you wish to deliver the work via courier freight costs and all other charges relating to delivery and collection of artworks are the sole responsibility of the artist. Artworks will not be accepted unless delivered and returned free of all freight and other charges.
Please note: Works requested to be returned via post will incur a $15 packing fee + cost of postage.
By sending your work to us via post or courier you agree to accept these conditions.
- You MUST use either Australia Post or Startrack Express to send your work as Australia Post may refuse deliveries from other couriers. Please note that the dimensions of your PACKAGED artwork mut not exceed 105cm long or 25kgs.
- You must address the delivery to our PO Box address, NOT our physical gallery address:
Newcastle Art Space
PO Box 12 Waratah NSW 2298
Email: gallery@newcastleartspace.org.au Phone: 0490 801 630
If you cannot use a PO Box when making the booking, please use this address:
(The Post Office's physical address): Newcastle Art Space c/- Suite 12, Shop 9 91 Turton Road Waratah, NSW 2298
-Email us to let us know you are sending the work via courier & include the tracking number if known: gallery@newcastleartspace.org.au
Work delivered via courier still needs to arrive by 2pm Thurs 16th April 2026. Work delivered after this date may not be accepted into the show.
