Barbara Nanshe

From memory, I started exhibiting with the then named, Newcastle Community Art Centre at Parry Street in 1991 in group exhibitions. Around 1992 I took a space in the old cafeteria that fronted the car park, with Marion Giles. I had a group exhibition planned and needed the space to make life size figurative sculpture and collage for an exhibition at 249 Gallery titled 6 Part Cow.

Our space could be dusty but we could open the old kiosk shutter which allowed for fresh air. I had ample room to divide my area into the sculpture and collage disciplines. There were long built in benches and two sinks plus a huge amount of storage.

It was cold in winter and quite hot in summer. It was cheap rent starting at $25 each a week. I used to go there at all hours when the urge came to me. It was so good for me to have access 24 hours to a space where I could do dirty work and leave everything as it was, close the door and return to continue the next day.

After Marion left I kept the space for another 6 months and then closed the door in 1995.

It was incredible to be part of a centre dedicated to supporting artists and one which allowed for short and long term studio requirements.

I took on the very same space again with Grant Keene from approximately 2009 to 2012. It was brilliant to have my old space back. I worked towards many group exhibitions and a solo sculpture and jewellery exhibition in the NAS Gallery in 2011 titled A Temple For My Familiar.

I was working next door at Trees In Newcastle and living across the road in Lindsay Street at the time. It was situated in the best position to enable many hours of use. I could go multiple times of the day including my lunch hour.

In 2011 Wendy Peacock was making videos of the residents and what they were working on. We had a lot of fun doing my video which was shown on the NAS site. It featured the almost completed work for A temple for My Familiar.

I opened Nanshe Studio Gallery Shop in Beaumont Street Hamilton in November 2011 and my focus changed to more wire pieces and jewellery and by then I had a workshop at home that suited the work I was doing. Also the shop rent had to get priority and the rent per week for the workshop space had gone up from $40 each to $60 each and even though still quite cheap, I could no longer afford it.

I exhibited in Multiple group exhibitions at Newcastle Community Art Centre from 1991 and Newcastle Art Space to 2023. It was very affordable and they took no commission for sales.

In 1998 I even had an exhibition in the common room upstairs as there was no availability in the main gallery and I had a show ready to go.

Over the years I also held multiple workshops at the Community Art Space. I participated in open days and open studios with the other tenants. It was a hive of activity! There was so much happening with the resident artists and staff in the centre including little films; help with grant applications; workshops; swapping of materials and input.

When NAS moved to Chinchen Street I continued to exhibit in Group exhibitions in the even larger gallery space. I participated in the Mentor Program of 2022, mentoring Mixed Media Jeweller, Vanessa Higgins which was extremely rewarding.

Thanks for your incredible support over the years Newcastle Art Space.