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.

Bonus Episode: Jazz Money at Newcastle Writers Festival 2024

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;

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

Janet Fieldhouse's distinctive combination of ancestral practice and contemporary techniques has positioned her as a singular voice in Australian ceramics.

Through her hand-built sculptures, Janet simultaneously records and reinterprets traditional stories and practices from the Torres Strait Islands drawing on her own cultural heritage, as well as academic research.

Her unique process and forms combine Western ceramic techniques with First Nations’ pottery practices from the Pacific and the Americas - places where she has engaged in extended cultural and artistic exchanges.

In this conversation, Janet discusses how she infuses her works with goodwill, her approach to interpreting cultural material, and the cyclical processes within her practice.

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 
Mixed by Sawtooth Studio 

Janet Fieldhouse's distinctive combination of ancestral practice and contemporary techniques has positioned her as a singular voice in Australian ceramics.
Through her hand-built sculptures, Janet simultaneously records and reinterprets traditional stories and practices from the Torres Strait Islands drawing on her own cultural heritage, as well as academic research.
Her unique process and forms combine Western ceramic techniques with First Nations&rsquo; pottery practices from the Pacific and the Americas - places where she has engaged in extended cultural and artistic exchanges.
In this conversation, Janet discusses how she infuses her works with goodwill, her approach to interpreting cultural material, and the cyclical processes within her practice.
<a href="https://newcastleartgallery.nsw.gov.au/podcasts/janet-fieldhouse-ceramics">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&nbsp; Mixed by Sawtooth Studio&nbsp;

Janet Fieldhouse's distinct practice has positioned her as a singular voice in Australian ceramics.

Ceramics - Janet Fieldhouse

Fusing her experience as a documentary film maker and post-punk drummer, Tina Havelock Stevens has established herself as an exciting figure in contemporary Australian video and performance art.

Tina has travelled across the world to create video documented performances that feature her drumming within monumental and historically charged sites. Over the past decade, Tina has drummed at an abandoned industrial site in Detroit, in the vast landscapes of the West Texan desert, fully submerged in the Derwent River in Hobart and even on Newcastle's very own Breakwater - the resulting video work now within Newcastle Art Gallery's collection.

To view Tina's works of art in Newcastle Art Gallery's collection, visit www.nag.org.au/podcast

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 
Mixed by Sawtooth Studio 

Fusing her experience as a documentary film maker and post-punk drummer, Tina Havelock Stevens has established herself as an exciting figure in contemporary Australian video and performance art.
Tina has travelled across the world to create video documented performances that feature her drumming within monumental and historically charged sites. Over the past decade, Tina has drummed at an abandoned industrial site in Detroit, in the vast landscapes of the West Texan desert, fully submerged in the Derwent River in Hobart and even on Newcastle's very own Breakwater - the resulting video work now within Newcastle Art Gallery's collection.
To view Tina's works of art in Newcastle Art Gallery's collection, visit <a href="http://www.nag.org.au/podcast">www.nag.org.au/podcast</a>
<a href="https://nag.org.au/digital/podcast">Conversations from the Collection</a> is a <a href="https://www.nag.org.au/">Newcastle Art Gallery</a> podcast. Find new episodes weekly until Wednesday 14 February 2024. 
 Developed by Newcastle Art Gallery  Hosted &amp; Produced by Zana Kobayashi  Produced, Edited and Music by Duke's Creations Research by Tulleah Pearce  Mixed by Sawtooth Studio

Tina Havelock Stevens shares the wild adventures of her practice

Video - Tina Havelock Stevens

In this episode, we speak with one of Australia’s foremost contemporary artists, Lindy Lee.

Throughout her life and practice, Lindy has sought the answer to one of the most fundamental questions - where do I belong?

This investigation began in her childhood as a first-generation Chinese-Australian growing up in Brisbane during the 1950s and 60s. During the early years of her art practice, Lindy explored themes of family, personal identity, and history. Later, as Lindy began to engage with Taoism and Ch’an (Zen) Buddhism, this question expanded to examine her place within what she calls 'the cosmos'.

Lindy's monumental public sculptures feature prominently outside many of our national institutions. With a career spanning over four decades, Lindy has also achieved widespread international acclaim, showcasing her work in counties such as Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Singapore.

To view Lindy's works of art in Newcastle Art Gallery's collection, visit www.nag.org.au/podcast

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 
Mixed by Sawtooth Studio 

In this episode, we speak with one of Australia’s foremost contemporary artists, Lindy Lee.
Throughout her life and practice, Lindy has sought the answer to one of the most fundamental questions - where do I belong?
This investigation began in her childhood as a first-generation Chinese-Australian growing up in Brisbane during the 1950s and 60s. During the early years of her art practice, Lindy explored themes of family, personal identity, and history. Later, as Lindy began to engage with Taoism and Ch’an (Zen) Buddhism, this question expanded to examine her place within what she calls 'the cosmos'.
Lindy's monumental public sculptures feature prominently outside many of our national institutions. With a career spanning over four decades, Lindy has also achieved widespread international acclaim, showcasing her work in counties such as Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Singapore.
To view Lindy's works of art in Newcastle Art Gallery's collection, visit <a href="http://www.nag.org.au/podcast">www.nag.org.au/podcast</a>
<a href="https://nag.org.au/digital/podcast">Conversations from the Collection</a> is a <a href="https://www.nag.org.au/">Newcastle Art Gallery</a> podcast. Find new episodes weekly until Wednesday 14 February 2024. 
 Developed by Newcastle Art Gallery  Hosted &amp; Produced by Zana Kobayashi  Produced, Edited and Music by Duke's Creations Research by Tulleah Pearce  Mixed by Sawtooth Studio

Lindy Lee searches for the answer to one fundamental question.

Sculpture - Lindy Lee

In our second episode, we speak with palawa artist Jemima Wyman, who lives and works between Brisbane and Los Angeles. 

For the past 15 years, Jemima has collected images of protests from around the globe to use in her intricate collages.

Jemima is interested in camouflage and how it is strategically used by resistance movements. Patterns and masking are repeating motifs in her artmaking and through this work she makes visible the shared visual language of public demonstration.

Jemima's layered hand-cut collages contain thousands of images from her ever-expanding archive. She extensively documents the source, date, and location of each image. This data then forms the titles of her works of art. Reading like a history of protest, her longest title to date reaches over 13,000 words.

To view Jemima's works of art in Newcastle Art Gallery's collection, visit www.nag.org.au/podcast

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 
Mixed by Sawtooth Studio 

In our second episode, we speak with palawa artist Jemima Wyman, who lives and works between Brisbane and Los Angeles. 
For the past 15 years, Jemima has collected images of protests from around the globe to use in her intricate collages.
Jemima is interested in camouflage and how it is strategically used by resistance movements. Patterns and masking are repeating motifs in her artmaking and through this work she makes visible the shared visual language of public demonstration.
Jemima's layered hand-cut collages contain thousands of images from her ever-expanding archive. She extensively documents the source, date, and location of each image. This data then forms the titles of her works of art. Reading like a history of protest, her longest title to date reaches over 13,000 words.
To view Jemima's works of art in Newcastle Art Gallery's collection, visit <a href="http://www.nag.org.au/podcast">www.nag.org.au/podcast</a>
<a href="https://nag.org.au/digital/podcast">Conversations from the Collection</a> is a <a href="https://www.nag.org.au/">Newcastle Art Gallery</a> podcast. Find new episodes weekly until Wednesday 14 February 2024. 
 Developed by Newcastle Art Gallery  Hosted &amp; Produced by Zana Kobayashi  Produced, Edited and Music by Duke's Creations Research by Tulleah Pearce  Mixed by Sawtooth Studio

Delve into Jemima Wyman's archive of global resistance and protest

Prints & Drawings - Jemima Wyman

In our first episode, we visit the home and studio of Newcastle-based artist Lottie Consalvo.

Lottie's practice explores our invisible worlds - the unknown and the intangible, often drawing on feelings such as desire, longing, and loss. Through her diverse practice, Lottie has continued to examine these ideas using painting, performance, video, and sculpture.

While elements of Lottie's work touch on difficult subject matter, she is also a romantic and joyful artist whose intentional and philosophical engagement with the world flows between her personal and professional life.

To view Lottie's works of art in Newcastle Art Gallery's collection, visit www.nag.org.au/podcast

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 
Mixed by Sawtooth Studio 

In our first episode, we visit the home and studio of Newcastle-based artist Lottie Consalvo.
Lottie's practice explores our invisible worlds - the unknown and the intangible, often drawing on feelings such as desire, longing, and loss. Through her diverse practice, Lottie has continued to examine these ideas using painting, performance, video, and sculpture.
While elements of Lottie's work touch on difficult subject matter, she is also a romantic and joyful artist whose intentional and philosophical engagement with the world flows between her personal and professional life.
To view Lottie's works of art in Newcastle Art Gallery's collection, visit <a href="http://www.nag.org.au/podcast">www.nag.org.au/podcast</a>
<a href="https://nag.org.au/digital/podcast">Conversations from the Collection</a> is a <a href="https://www.nag.org.au/">Newcastle Art Gallery</a> podcast. Find new episodes weekly until Wednesday 14 February 2024. 
 Developed by Newcastle Art Gallery  Hosted &amp; Produced by Zana Kobayashi  Produced, Edited and Music by Duke's Creations Research by Tulleah Pearce  Mixed by Sawtooth Studio

Discover the inner world of artist Lottie Consalvo.

Painting - Lottie Consalvo

Conversations from the Collection – a Newcastle Art Gallery podcast. 

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

Our second season will include conversations with artists Lottie Consalvo, Janet Fieldhouse, Tina Havelock Stevens, Lindy Lee,  Owen Leong and Jemima Wyman. 

Season Two launches on Wednesday 10 January 2024.

Listen weekly to new episodes here or find us on your favourite podcast listening app.

Conversations from the Collection – a Newcastle Art Gallery podcast. 
This six-part 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 second season will include conversations with artists Lottie Consalvo, Janet Fieldhouse, Tina Havelock Stevens, Lindy Lee,  Owen Leong and Jemima Wyman. 
Season Two launches on Wednesday 10 January 2024.
Listen weekly to new episodes <a href="https://nag.org.au/digital/podcast">here</a> or find us on your favourite podcast listening app.

Introducing Season Two of Conversations from the Collection, starting January 10 2024.

Season Two Preview

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.

Conversations from the Collection

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