Ocean, culture and iconic Matildas moments converge at Newcastle Art Gallery thanks to internationally renowned artist Angela Tiatia
Just when we thought Newcastle’s art scene couldn’t get any better, the extensive work of globally recognised artist Angela Tiatia fills Newcastle Art Gallery from September 25, and we can’t wait to get amongst it.
Angela Tiatia: Muse is a world-first exhibition that brings together two decades of striking and thought-provoking moving images from the Sāmoan/ Australian artist who has called Newcastle home for the past 5 years.
We’ve been spoilt for choice since the re-opening of the reimagined Newcastle Art Gallery with incredible, internationally acclaimed artists exhibiting right here on our doorstep, and the latest offering in Angela Tiatia: Muse continues to push the boundaries.
A first of its kind showcasing handpicked works from private collection and public commissions from across Australia, Angela Tiatia: Muse celebrates Tiatia’s aesthetic reflections on climate, capitalism, and colonialism.
Angela Tiatia, production still from The fall, 2017, two-channel high definition video. Image courtesy of the artist and Sullivan+Strumpf, Sydney © the artist
With references to history, popular culture, and material culture, visitors will be captivated and challenged by the work of one of the most important voices in contemporary Australian art today.
Artist Angela Tiatia says that reflecting on over twenty years of creativity has given her the chance to consider the core questions that have shaped her practice. “While each work responds to a particular moment, together they speak to a sustained engagement with systems of power and the complexities of our shared histories,” says Angela.
Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM says the gallery is proud to present the first major survey of Tiatia’s career right here in Newcastle.
“We are thrilled to pair this survey with her extraordinary 2025 portrait, The Matildas, giving our audiences a rare chance to see the wide breadth of her incredible practice in one place.”
The Matildas
After wandering through Angela Tiatia’s Muse be sure not to miss the additional New South Wales public gallery premiere of the incredible moving-image portrait, The Matildas, visiting the region for the first time from the National Portrait Gallery.
Relive the joy and emotion from the CommBank Matildas FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ campaign in this powerful 2025 video portrait by Tiatia that uses art to celebrate a pivotal moment in Australia’s sporting history.
Tiatia’s art has won multiple awards, and her moving image work The Matildas is a not-to-be-missed celebration of collective strength and the power of representation that was shot across three continents, five cities and seven shoots. Come and be immersed in the unique cinematic experience that is The Matildas free of charge, or pair this with your ticket to Angela Tiatia: Muse.
An Explosion of Art
Angela Tiatia: Muse launched as part of First Night Art Party, which coincides with the opening of the City of Newcastle’s cornerstone arts festival, New Annual on Friday September 25th, 2026.
Laman Street was transformed into a vibrant celebration of art and music for the First Night Art Party and prebooked ticketholders to Angela Tiatia: Muse were given priority entry on the night.
The evening continued to wow the crowd with art, music, theatre and performance as the city of Newcastle transformed into a living stage during the New Annual festival, a 10-day event which ran from September 25 to October 4, 2026.
Angela Tiatia: Muse
When: Saturday, 26 September 2026 – Sunday, 7 February 2027
Where: Newcastle Art Gallery, 1 Lamen Street, Newcastle
Cost: Book tickets to the exhibition here. Entry to The Matildas is free.
To find out more, visit Angela Tiatia at NAG.
If the Angela Tiatia: Muse exhibition interests you and you’d like to see more at Newcastle Art Gallery, here are a few upcoming events worth checking out.
Sat 06 Feb 2027, 2.00 - 3.00pm
Written by: Odette Tonkin
Header Photo credit: Angela Tiatia, production still from Holding On, 2015. Single-channel High Definition video, colour, sound. Image courtesy of the artist and Sullivan+Strumpf.
This article was produced by HUNTERhunter in partnership with Newcastle Art Gallery. Thank you for supporting the partners who make our work possible.
