Past exhibitions

Wollongong is one of many global cities on the sea facing rapid environmental and social change. The sea is ever-present in the lives of the people who live on this long coastal strip, bounded by the escarpment and the Pacific Ocean.

The geographic footprint of the City+Sea artwork extends from Otford in the north to Bass Point in the south.

City+Sea invites people to reflect on their relationships with this place. We offer you an unfamiliar perspective of the city from the sea: a continuous video of the coastline filmed
from a fishing boat over three hours and forty minutes, and a corresponding 26 metre long watercolour drawing.

This is a space for people to come together, to slow down, to yarn, to write, to draw, to create, and to share stories of this place.

This research-based exhibition showcases artworks from interdisciplinary team: Dr Kim Williams (artist), Associate Professor Leah Gibbs (human geographer), Dr Lucas Ihlein (artist), Associate Professor Sarah Hamylton (coastal geographer), including artwork contributions by Hayden Griffith and Aunty Barbara Nicholson. 

This project was supported by a UOW ReVITAlise (RITA) Research Grant. The exhibition received additional support from ACCESS (Australian Centre for Culture, Environment, Society and Space) and ARC Linkage project ‘Better Oceans, Better Futures’ (LP200300895).

Location: UOW Gallery, ground floor of building 29, Jillian Broadbent Building, western side of the Wollongong campus.

Dates: 20 June - 11 September, 2024

Times: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm, Mondays to Wednesdays

Admission: Free and open to the public

Official Exhibition Opening: Thursday, 20 June, 5 pm. All welcome. 

Still from Bald Hill to Shellharbour: view of the Illawarra from the sea, 2024
Kim Williams, Leah Gibbs, Hayden Griffith, Lucas Ihlein, Sarah Hamylton

Discover the rich tapestry of artistic expression at the University of Wollongong (UOW) through "Highlights from the UOW Art Collection." This captivating exhibition presents a curated selection of works that showcase the calibre, strength, and diversity found within the UOW Art Collection.

Diverse Artworks

Explore a range of artistic styles, mediums, and themes that reflect the dynamic nature of the UOW Art Collection.

Calibre and Strength

Immerse yourself in the world of art as the exhibition highlights the exceptional calibre and strength of the featured works.

Curatorial Excellence

Experience a thoughtfully curated selection that demonstrates the artistic prowess and cultural significance of the UOW Art Collection.

Visiting the UOW Gallery, you can expect to feel inspired and engaged as you immerse yourself in the diverse and thought-provoking exhibitions. The gallery's dynamic programming and commitment to strategic impact create an atmosphere of creativity and innovation. You may feel a sense of connection to the university community, as the gallery fosters collaboration across disciplines and involves alumni, students, and the wider community.

Late 2023 - March 2024

Guy Warren, Escarpment, Illawarra
synthetic polymer paint on linen

A UOW Art Collection and Hazelhurst Art Centre partnership exhibition

UOW and Hazelhurst Arts Centre worked in partnership to present an exhibition featuring 100 artworks from the university’s art collection. The exhibition was held in the Main Gallery at Hazelhurst in Gymea. The artworks were selected from the collection by Hazelhurst’s curators. The exhibition included works by artists such as Ben Quilty, Lloyd Rees, Elizabeth Cummings, James Gleeson, Lindy Lee, Tracy Moffatt and Emily Kame Kngwarreye.

This exhibition also coincided with Vital Signs: Recent graduates from the University of Wollongong, an exhibition of artworks by graduating visual arts students from The School of Arts, English and Media. 

Dates: 22 April to 18 June, 2023
Location: Hazelhurst Arts Centre, 782 Kingsway, Gymea. NSW. 2227. 

Guy Warren, Escarpment, Illawarra
synthetic polymer paint on linen

• UOW 2022 Visual Arts Graduate Exhibition | 26 November - 9 November, 2023
  The 2022 Visual Arts Graduate Exhibition presents graduating works by UOW Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Arts); (Visual Arts and Design); and Bachelor of Arts (Photography) students.
• Antarctic Futures | 15 August - 19 October, 2022
  Diverse exhibition with work by artists and scientists who have visited Antarctica, either under the auspices of national level scientific and artist residency programs or via the former Illawarra based Theme Polar Arts program.
  
  • Antarctic Futures: Seminar Series
  • Antarctic Futures: Early Start children's workshops
• Towards Deep Time: CABAH Art Series | 16 May to 13 July, 2022
  An exhibition of two new works by contemporary Australian artists UK Frederick and collaborative duo Sonia Leber and David Chesworth.
• The Morrissey Donations: UOW Art Collection | 21 February - 30 March, 2022
  Celebrating the generous and on-going patronage of Mr John F Morrissey to the University of Wollongong.
• Hills and Wings: A celebration of Guy Warren and his work | 3 May 2021 - Wednesday, 28 July 2021 
  Works by Guy, alongside a small selection of artworks that he acquired for UOW while he was Director of the Art Collection between 1992 and 2005. 

Matriarch

Black women are beautiful and strong and always giving

The black community stands on the shoulders of black women. 

Without the matriarch a lot of society just doesn't work the way that it does or that it needs to. Being a matriarch though isn’t about power or how much noise that you make. Being a matriarch is about leading by example. Our matriarchs know that there’s leadership in love be that for family, community, culture or Country. Most of us tell stories of being raised by our mum, or our grandma, or our aunties. We share stories about the black women who created the safe spaces for us to grow and learn, who told us to dream big and encouraged us on our way.

Black women change the lives and the worlds they come into contact with just by doing what they’re doing with whatever space, energy, capacity and opportunity that they have.

This exhibition is an act of appreciation for some of the amazing black women who have impacted Murri artist, Broc Piazza over the last 18 months. These portraits tell an important story, that there are so many sides to black women and so many ways of being a black woman, and that all of them are valid.

Matriarch is supported by the Woolyungah Indigenous Centre, Indigenous Strategy Unit and the UOW Art Collection and Gallery.

Sustainable Snapshots
Putting Country into Focus

The Sustainable Snapshots - Putting Country into Focus exhibition highlights UOW’s staff and students’ connection to our Australian campuses. 

This exhibition provides opportunities for people to share their perspectives around the importance of caring for Country. The photo competition aimed to highlight how caring for Country and environmental sustainability are intrinsically linked. As we are engaging in sustainable practices, we are helping to support the health and well-being of Country.

Sustainable Snapshots - Putting Country into Focus invites people to reflect on their own relationship with Country and what actions they are taking in their everyday lives to care for this place.
It is a reminder that we are always on Country, that we are Country, and our identity is shaped by Country.

We also hoped that this space provides an opportunity for people to acknowledge the rich and sophisticated knowledge systems that Aboriginal peoples from across our campus locations hold and continue to share.

Special thanks to the Sustainable Futures Committee who made this competition and exhibition possible. We appreciate and acknowledge the importance of the work you do in this space.