For the past two decades Owen Leong has developed a highly personal art practice that spans sculpture, photography, video, and installation. 

Through the lens of his own identity as a queer person of colour, Owen examines the social, political, and cultural forces that impact our lives. Often centring his own body within the frame, Owen has used his practice as a way to locate himself within the world.  

In this conversation, Owen talks about the steely determination he has needed to pursue his career and why his decision to undertake a Master of Fine Art at the University of NSW was viewed as 'somewhat controversial' by his family.  

Conversations from the Collectionis a Newcastle Art Gallery podcast. Find new episodes weekly until Wednesday 14 February 2024. 


Developed by Newcastle Art Gallery 
Hosted & Produced by Zana Kobayashi 
Produced, Edited and Music by Duke's Creations
Research by Tulleah Pearce & Pippa Budge 
Mixed by Sawtooth Studio 

For the past two decades Owen Leong has developed a highly personal art practice that spans sculpture, photography, video, and installation.&nbsp;
Through the lens of his own identity as a queer person of colour, Owen examines the social, political, and cultural forces that impact our lives. Often centring his own body within the frame, Owen has used his practice as a way to locate himself within the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In this conversation, Owen talks about the steely determination he has needed to pursue his career and why his decision to undertake a Master of Fine Art at the University of NSW was viewed as 'somewhat controversial' by his family.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://newcastleartgallery.nsw.gov.au/podcasts/owen-leong-photography">Conversations from the Collection</a> is a <a href="https://newcastleartgallery.nsw.gov.au/">Newcastle Art Gallery</a> podcast. Find new episodes weekly until Wednesday 14 February 2024.&nbsp;
 Developed by Newcastle Art Gallery&nbsp; Hosted &amp; Produced by Zana Kobayashi&nbsp; Produced, Edited and Music by Duke's Creations Research by Tulleah Pearce &amp; Pippa Budge&nbsp; Mixed by Sawtooth Studio&nbsp;

Conversations from the Collection – a Newcastle Art Gallery podcast.

In this six part series, each episode will dive into a different collection area of the Newcastle Art Gallery to uncover hidden stories and connect with artists who have contributed to the significance of our diverse collection.

Find new episodes here or on your favourite podcast listening app.

Conversations from the Collection &ndash; a Newcastle Art Gallery podcast.
In this six part series, each episode will dive into a different collection area of the <a href="https://nag.org.au/">Newcastle Art Gallery</a> to uncover hidden stories and connect with artists who have contributed to the significance of our diverse collection.
Find new episodes <a href="https://nag.org.au/digital/podcast">here </a>or on your favourite podcast listening app.

Welcome to Conversations from the Collection. Engaging, funny and full of wonder - join us as we discover a wide range of practices and six very different artistic journeys from Newcastle Art Gallery's collection. Starting Wednesday 4 January 2023.

Conversations from the Collection

Conversations from the Collection – a Newcastle Art Gallery podcast. 

Our summer listening series explores stories from renowned artists who have contributed to Newcastle Art Gallery’s iconic collection. 

Our first season included conversations with artists Virginia Cuppaidge, Brian Robinson, Kenji Uranishi, Joan Ross, Tamara Dean and Hilarie Mais. Our second season featured artists Lottie Consalvo, Janet Fieldhouse, Tina Havelock Stevens, Lindy Lee,  Owen Leong and Jemima Wyman. 

Find new episodes here or on your favourite podcast listening app.

Conversations from the Collection – a Newcastle Art Gallery podcast. 
Our summer listening series explores stories from renowned artists who have contributed to <a href="https://www.nag.org.au/">Newcastle Art Gallery</a>’s iconic collection. 
Our first season included conversations with artists Virginia Cuppaidge, Brian Robinson, Kenji Uranishi, Joan Ross, Tamara Dean and Hilarie Mais. Our second season featured artists Lottie Consalvo, Janet Fieldhouse, Tina Havelock Stevens, Lindy Lee,  Owen Leong and Jemima Wyman. 
Find new episodes <a href="https://nag.org.au/digital/podcast">here </a>or on your favourite podcast listening app.

At the heart of Owen Leong's practice is an unwavering belief that art can transform the way we see ourselves and others.

Photography - Owen Leong

This special bonus episode of Conversations from the Collection was recorded live at the 2025 Newcastle Writers Festival with artist, fine art conservator and writer Christabel Blackman.

Christabel joined Miriam Kelly, Head of Curatorial and Exhibitions at Newcastle Art Gallery for a fascinating in conversation event celebrating her book 'Charles & Barbara Blackman: A Decade of Art and Love'.

In this captivating conversation, she reflects on growing up as the daughter of two influential figures in Australian art and literature, and shares insights into her own creative journey and work in conservation.

Conversations from the Collection is a Newcastle Art Gallery podcast.

Developed by Newcastle Art Gallery 
Hosted by Miriam Kelly
Introduction by Zana Kobayashi
Produced by Gemma Wroblewski
Edited and Music by Duke's Creations

This special bonus episode of Conversations from the Collection was recorded live at the 2025 Newcastle Writers Festival with artist, fine art conservator and writer Christabel Blackman.
Christabel joined Miriam Kelly, Head of Curatorial and Exhibitions at Newcastle Art Gallery for a fascinating in conversation event celebrating her book 'Charles &amp; Barbara Blackman: A Decade of Art and Love'.
In this captivating conversation, she reflects on growing up as the daughter of two influential figures in Australian art and literature, and shares insights into her own creative journey and work in conservation.
<a href="https://newcastleartgallery.nsw.gov.au/podcasts/bonus-podcast-episode-christabel-blackman">Conversations from the Collection</a> is a <a href="https://newcastleartgallery.nsw.gov.au/">Newcastle Art Gallery</a> podcast.
Developed by Newcastle Art Gallery&nbsp; Hosted by Miriam Kelly Introduction by Zana Kobayashi Produced by Gemma Wroblewski Edited and Music by Duke's Creations

Bonus episode: Christabel Blackman at Newcastle Writers Festival 2025

Megan Cope is a Quandamooka artist from Moreton Bay/North Stradbroke Island in South East Queensland. Her site-specific sculptural installations, public art practice and paintings investigate issues relating to colonial histories, the environment and mapping practices. 

In this conversation with Newcastle Art Gallery’s Head of Curatorial and Exhibitions, Miriam Kelly, Megan Cope discusses her living sculptures that draw on ancestral technologies and seek to heal saltwater environments. She also delves into the historical and ecological importance of oysters.

This conversation was captured live at the Ngumpi Kinyingarra Oyster House during the New Annual Festival in Newcastle in September 2024. Presented as a temporary pavilion on the Honeysuckle Marina, Ngumpi Kinyingarra Oyster House hosted workshops, performances, talks, and even an oyster shucking competition! Thanks to an enthusiastic group of oyster shuckers from the community, this 'Scrub Club' saw over 4,875 oysters cleaned for use in a future work of art by Megan Cope.

Conversations from the Collection is a Newcastle Art Gallery podcast. 


Developed by Newcastle Art Gallery 
Hosted by Miriam Kelly
Introduction by Zana Kobayashi
Produced by Gemma Wroblewski
Produced, Edited and Music by Duke's Creations

Megan Cope is a Quandamooka artist from Moreton Bay/North Stradbroke Island in South East Queensland. Her site-specific sculptural installations, public art practice and paintings investigate issues relating to colonial histories, the environment and mapping practices.&nbsp;
In this conversation with Newcastle Art Gallery&rsquo;s Head of Curatorial and Exhibitions, Miriam Kelly, Megan Cope discusses her living sculptures that draw on ancestral technologies and seek to heal saltwater environments. She also delves into the historical and ecological importance of oysters.
This conversation was captured live at the Ngumpi Kinyingarra Oyster House during the New Annual Festival in Newcastle in September 2024. Presented as a temporary pavilion on the Honeysuckle Marina, Ngumpi Kinyingarra Oyster House hosted workshops, performances, talks, and even an oyster shucking competition! Thanks to an enthusiastic group of oyster shuckers from the community, this 'Scrub Club' saw over 4,875 oysters cleaned for use in a future work of art by Megan Cope.
<a href="https://newcastleartgallery.nsw.gov.au/podcasts/bonus-episode-megan-cope-at-ngumpi-kinyingarra-oyster-house-2024">Conversations from the Collection</a> is a <a href="https://newcastleartgallery.nsw.gov.au/">Newcastle Art Gallery</a> podcast.&nbsp;
 Developed by Newcastle Art Gallery&nbsp; Hosted by Miriam Kelly Introduction by Zana Kobayashi Produced by Gemma Wroblewski Produced, Edited and Music by Duke's Creations

Megan Cope discusses her public installations and living sculptures investigating colonial histories, environmental issues and mapping practices.

Bonus Episode: Megan Cope at Ngumpi Kinyingarra Oyster House 2024

In honour of NAIDOC Week, we are bringing you a special podcast episode featuring Wiradjuri poet and artist Jazz Money in conversation with Newcastle Art Gallery's Curatorial Lead Peter Johnson.

Recorded live at the Newcastle Writers Festival earlier this year, Jazz discusses the way their practice has challenged the perceived elitism of poetry, the power of writing in Wiradjuri Language, and embracing joy as an act of radical resistance. 

Conversations from the Collectionis a Newcastle Art Gallery podcast. 

Developed by Newcastle Art Gallery 
Hosted by Peter Johnson
Introduction and Production by Zana Kobayashi
Produced, Edited and Music by Duke's Creations
Mixed by Sawtooth Studio 

In honour of NAIDOC Week, we are bringing you a special podcast episode featuring Wiradjuri poet and artist Jazz Money in conversation with Newcastle Art Gallery's Curatorial Lead Peter Johnson.
Recorded live at the Newcastle Writers Festival earlier this year, Jazz discusses the way their practice has challenged the perceived elitism of poetry, the power of writing in Wiradjuri Language, and embracing joy as an act of radical resistance.&nbsp;
<a href="https://newcastleartgallery.nsw.gov.au/podcasts/bonus-episode-jazz-money-at-newcastle-writers-festival">Conversations from the Collection</a> is a <a href="https://newcastleartgallery.nsw.gov.au/">Newcastle Art Gallery</a> podcast.&nbsp;
Developed by Newcastle Art Gallery Hosted by Peter Johnson Introduction and Production by Zana Kobayashi Produced, Edited and Music by Duke's Creations Mixed by Sawtooth Studio&nbsp;

Artist Jazz Money in conversation with Newcastle Art Gallery Curatorial Lead Peter Johnson.

Photography - Owen Leong

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