Kate Newby’s Multi-Site Installation at MCA Sydney

The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) unveils its 2024 Loti Smorgon Sculpture Terrace Commission, ‘Hours in Wind’, a captivating installation by internationally acclaimed artist Kate Newby. This multi-site work spans three key locations within the MCA: the entrance, a space on Level 2, and the Loti Smorgon Sculpture Terrace on Level 4.

Newby’s installation draws inspiration from its surroundings, particularly the site of the MCA and Warrane/Sydney Cove. Using a combination of locally sourced and recycled shipping and sailing ropes, cast bronze, and both cast and hand-blown glass, the artist creates a dialogue between the museum’s architecture and the ever-changing conditions of Sydney Harbour.

‘Hours in Wind’ skillfully navigates the thresholds between interior and exterior spaces, capturing the essence of its location. The work reflects the unpredictable weather patterns and shifting light conditions characteristic of the harbour, inviting viewers to experience the site in a new, more immersive way.

Born in 1979 in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand, Newby is currently based in Texas, US. She has gained international recognition for her sculptures and installations, often employing materials such as glass and ceramics. Newby’s practice is characterized by its responsiveness to site and its attention to natural phenomena, frequently blurring the lines between public and private, interior and exterior spaces.

The 2024 Loti Smorgon Sculpture Terrace Commission is made possible through the generous support of Lead Patrons Ginny and Leslie Green. This installation not only showcases Newby’s unique artistic vision but also reinforces the MCA’s commitment to presenting innovative, site-specific works that engage with the museum’s distinctive harbor-side location.

‘Hours in Wind’ promises to offer visitors a fresh perspective on the interplay between art, architecture, and environment, encouraging a deeper connection with the ever-changing landscape of Sydney Harbour.