Exhibition / A soft space to stand

Name: Exhibition / A soft space to stand
Telephone: 4925 2265
Start: 2026-04-11T14:00:00+00:00
Location: Newcastle, NSW

Exhibition and Shows

$0 – $0

General

Tread gently at The Lock-Up to explore the elusive nature of softness in a world of hard edges.
Uncover interdisciplinary practices through installation, moving image, and animation that challenge rigid perceptions of reality.
Engage with thought-provoking works by local artists, reflecting on social and environmental crises in a unique space.
Relax in a family-friendly environment with facilities including a bar and gift shop at 90 Hunter Street, Newcastle.

Today's Weather

25°C Clear sky

In a world of hard edges, how do you observe softness? On the inverse, how do you find a stable footing on soft surfaces? Tread gently at The Lock-Up and uncover softness through time-based practices.

‘Soft’ is at once grounding and unstable, in the ever-changing fleshy vessels that hold you (your own and of others), the porous boundaries between imaginary and visceral worlds, or the socio-political terrains that conceal slippages of shifting ground. Hardness is easily defined in its rigidity, oppression, and the absolute. Softness is more elusive: softness is slippery, subjective, and often taken for granted.

Softness is the methodology in this group exhibition of interdisciplinary practices, installation, moving image, video, film, and animation. Against harsh realities of personal and environmental disasters, or the unyielding grind of time, softness manifests itself as subversion, surrender and resistance. ‘A soft space to stand’ includes works by Jamie Bastoli, Jasmine Craciun, Alysha Fewster, Fiona Lee, David Lobb, Ali Noble and Nicole Smede. Consider what it means to respond to the social, environmental and existential crises of living.

25°C Clear sky

Images and Video

View: 1 of 3

Nicole Smede, 'Yulimba', 2024 (still), single-channel video, 8:49 min, Edition of 3 + 2 AP.

Ali Noble, Cubbyhouse (Nothing is Certain, said The Curtain), 2024 (still), Two-channel video, 7:41m

Fiona Lee, 'Triangulation (sky fire)', 2025 (collage of video stills), single-channel video, 6:06m

Contact and Booking Channels

Newcastle, New South Wales

Address: 90 Hunter Street, Newcastle, New South Wales, 2300, Australia
Phone: 02 4925 2265
Email: info@thelockup.org.au
Social: Facebook · Instagram

Visit website Book now

Venue address: The Lock-Up Newcastle, 90 Hunter Street, Newcastle, New South Wales, 2300, Australia

Rates

$0 – $0

General

Lat -32.92751, Lng 151.78396

Booking Channels

Dates & times

Next occurrence: 12 April 2026 reoccurring

Accreditations

Australian Museums and Galleries Association

Features

Bar
Family Friendly
Non Smoking
Pet Friendly – Enquire
Public Toilet
Shop / Gift Shop

Accessibility

Actively welcomes people with access needs.

General access

Offers multiple options for booking – web, email, phone is available.
Offers a range of contact methods for receiving complaints.
Companion Cards are accepted.
Asks all visitors if there are any specific needs to be met.

Communication

Welcomes and assists people who have challenges with learning, communication, understanding and behaviour. (includes people with autism, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, acquired brain injury (ABI), dyslexia and dementia)
Staff are trained in communicating with people with learning or behavioural challenges.
Uses Plain English / easy read signage and information (includes menus and emergency information)

Physical – Mobility

Caters for people with sufficient mobility to climb a few steps but who would benefit from fixtures to aid balance. (This includes people using walking frames and mobility aids)
Uses non-slip tiles in the bathroom or slip resistant matting
Grab rails in the bathroom
Seating in common areas including reception area

Physical – Wheelchair

Caters for people who use a wheelchair.
Step free outdoor pathways (includes picnic areas, barbecues and shelters)
A doorbell or intercom at an accessible height and display a contact number (accessible height is 900mm-1100 mm)
A step free main entrance to the building and/or reception area (includes ramps or slopes with a maximum gradient of 1:14, otherwise are too steep for wheelchairs)
An accessible public toilet which is unlocked.
A wheelchair accessible toilet / shower and change room is available.
Portable ramps.
At least one wheelchair accessible parking space with wheelchair accessible signage clearly displayed (International standards are 3200mm wide x 2500 mm high).

Allergies and intolerances

Caters for people with allergies and intolerances.
Modify their cooking and cleaning practices to cater for people with food allergies or chemical intolerances (could include menus with meals free from: nuts, dairy, seafood, eggs, gluten etc).