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1X4

Main Gallery
10 August - 27 October 2024

Museums use objects to tell stories. It sounds simple but it’s complicated. Objects can tell multiple stories from many points of view. So, who chooses the story? Which story is the truth? In museums, curators choose an interpretation but 1X4 turns this upside down. Each object in this exhibition tells four distinct stories. You can listen to or read each of the four stories, or some, or none and just enjoy the beauty of the objects. Every story is the truth about the object and is a valid way to view the object, but they are all different.

1X4 is an innovative, collection-rich, social history exhibition exploring the multiplicity of narratives each object can tell, drawn from Newcastle Museum’s collections. It is supplemented with four objects from Hurstville Museum & Gallery’s collection. 

This is a travelling exhibition developed by Newcastle Museum, rather than labels on a wall, the secrets of 1X4 are revealed via your mobile phone or tablet by visiting 1x4 exhibition website. If you would like to delve deeper, pack your headphone for an audio tour.


Exhibition program and events

 Official opening night: 1X4

1x4 illustration of a mechanical model showing planets rotating the solar system against a blue background.Join us at Hurstville Museum & Gallery for the official opening of 1X4, a touring exhibition developed by Newcastle Museum.

The opening will be attended by special guest speaker Julie Baird, Director of Museum Archives Libraries & Learning, City of Newcastle.

Friday 9 August 2024 

Time: 6.00pm.
Cost: Free event.

This event has passed.

Art in the afternoon

Person using ink brush to and paint pallet to paint plants.Art workshops for creative exploration and wellbeing.

Sunday 11 August 2024: Watercolour painting with Eleni Karathanasi (SOLD OUT)
Sunday 8 September 2024: Mixed media drawing with Amy Scully 

Time: 2.30pm - 4.30pm.
Cost: $26.50 per person (excluding online booking fee).

These events have passed.

Baby explorers

Baby smiling surrounded by colourful quiltJoin a tour of the current Main Gallery exhibition with your little one. Designed for parents and carers of babies 12 months and under to come for a guided tour.

Wednesday 14 August 2024 - This event has passed.
Wednesday 11 September 2024 - This event has passed.
Wednesday 9 October 2024

Time: Guided tour 10.35am, sensory pit 10.15am - 11.30am.
Cost: $5.25 per adult participant (excluding online booking fee). Babies are free.
Ages: Suitable for babies up to the age of 12 months.

Book Now

Poetry workshop - Bright Crockery Days

Mark Tredinnick speaking at a microphone wearing a pink jacketJoin us for a poetry workshop during Poetry Month with internationally acclaimed Australian poet, Mark Tredinnick.

Wednesday 14 August 2024 

Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm.
Cost: $12.50 per person (excluding online booking fee).
Age: Adults ages 16 and over.

This event has passed.

Discovery Writers at Hurstville Museum & Gallery 

A person writing in a notebook at a desk
Love writing? Join the Discovery Writers group for a writing session inspired by the 1X4 exhibition at Hurstville Museum & Gallery.

Tuesday 10 September 2024

Time: 1.00pm - 3.00pm.
Cost: Free (RSVP required).
Age: Adults (18+).

This event has passed.

Artzone: Clay Creations

A child's hands rolling out colourful clay

Get excited by the current Main Gallery exhibition 1X4, and design, mould and sculpt your own object.

Saturday 14 September 2024

Time: 10.15am - 12.30pm.
Cost: $8.50 per person (excluding online booking fee).
Age: 8-13 years.

This event has passed.

Life drawing

Live model seated on a chair in gallery space with people drawing around in a circle.Join us for a two-hour life drawing class at Hurstville Museum & Gallery with an experienced model and facilitator. 

Friday 30 August 2024  
Friday 20 September 2024

Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm.
Cost: $26.50 (excluding online booking fee).
Age: Adults ages 16 and over.

These events have passed.

Art/Play/Make: Still Life

Kids painting with bright colours

Be inspired by the 1X4 exhibition and improve your drawing skills.

Saturday 5 October 2024

Time: 10.15am - 12.00pm.
Cost: $8.50 per person (excluding online booking fee).
Age: 5-7 years.

This event has passed

1X4 Open Day

Australian rugby cap with golden tasselJoin us for an Open Day filled with activities for all ages!

During History Week 2024 and to coincide with 1X4 exhibition, we are hosting a fun day for the whole family. Become a detective with our engaging family activity trail, take a guided tour and get creative by making your own object and writing your own label. Join us for a day of exploration and artistic expression!

Saturday 5 October 2024
Time: Open Day from 10.00am - 4.00pm.
Guided tours: 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.00pm.
Cost: Free event.

This event has passed

Oatley Writers Group at Hurstville Museum & Gallery


Come along for a writing session inspired by the 1X4 exhibition with the Oatley Writers Group at Hurstville Museum & Gallery.

Wednesday 16 October 2024

Time: 11.00am - 12.30pm.
Cost: Free (RSVP required).
Age: Adults (18+).

Book Now

1X4 Detectives Trail

Snippet of the 1X4 detectives trail.

Explore 1X4 with our Detective Trail! This free, fun, drop-in activity is available during opening hours for curious children. 

Opening hours:
Tuesday - Saturday: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Sunday: 2.00pm - 5.00pm
 

If you are bringing a group larger than 10 people, please get in contact to ensure we have availability and enough copies printed on-site. 

To book, email museumgallery@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au

Early Learning Centres special program

A group of children in an art gallery looking at a teacher who is gesturing to an artwork
To enhance the experience for your young ones, we offer a fantastic program designed for kids aged 3 to 5 years old.

Step into a world of creativity with 1X4. Embark on a captivating journey where the power of objects intertwines with the joy of music and crafting!

Age: 3 - 5 years old.
Cost: $6.80 per child (minimum of 10 children for a booking). 
Duration: 45 minutes. We are flexible with the starting time.

To book, email museumgallery@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au

Mixed media art workshops

White outlines of objects on a blue background, the words 'Mixed media art workshop" at bottom.
This workshop is inspired by the exhibition premise that a single object can tell multiple stories. In this workshop participants will use the objects from the exhibition as a springboard to make mixed media artworks. The concept is to explore how multiple materials or techniques can be used to create variation or resolution through layering media and juxtaposing materials. The objective is to introduce the student to the practice of mixed media art making and to produce a single artwork containing (at least) 4 art mediums/materials.

Educators and carers can download this resource provided by Newcastle Museum to use as a class or for individual students. Download the resource by clicking the image to the left.

If you would like to bring your group to see the exhibition, book a free excursion by getting in contact via museumgallery@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au


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