A new Lake Macquarie public art installation set to open this weekend invites people to connect, converse and engage with their community.
The aptly named A Place To Chat is the latest addition to the Museum of Art and Culture, yapang, Sculpture Park at Booragul – developed by Victorian artist Abbey Rich following two community workshops about mental health and art.
MAC yapang Curator Jasmine Kean said the resulting installation created a space to reflect and communicate.
"As both art and utility, this piece becomes more than just an object to look at," she said.
"It's also something to interact with at many levels. The sculpture itself is made from a material that feels solid and grounds the viewer in the place, creating a time for stillness and slowness, encouraging people to open up about their own unique experiences."
Saturday's sculpture launch , held at 11.30am in the MAC yapang sculpture park coincides with the Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Suicide Prevention Network (LMNSPN) Hope Day activities at Booragul reserve including free entertainment, a BBQ lunch and connection to local mental health and wellbeing services.
Ms Kean said the artwork's concept was inspired by the global 'Happy to Chat' movement, providing spaces and opportunities for people to hit pause on the hustle and bustle of everyday life and talk to the people around them.
"The work has been created with the local community, including people with lived experience of mental health issues," she said.
"Its design and stories are embedded by the artist to make sure this provides a space for conversations around mental health well into the future."
The project was assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body, donation from LMNSPN and by the NSW Government through Create NSW.
