A sculpture from the National Gallery of Australia's Sculpture Garden will be displayed on long term loan at the Museum of Art and Culture yapang (MAC yapang) in Lake Macquarie thanks to the Albanese Labor Government's Sharing the National Collection program.
The large abstract work I Am, 2016 is by internationally recognised contemporary artist Andrew Rogers.
The work will move from beside Lake Burley Griffin to adorn the shores of Lake Macquarie where it will stand in MAC yapang's renewed sculpture park in early 2026.
Examples of Rogers' stunning work can be found across the globe in various locations from Zhengzhou public art project in China, University of California, Davis in the United States and recently in the centre of the Canberra International Airport.
Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the loan would draw new crowds to the host gallery's fresh sculpture park.
"The national collection belongs to the entire nation, not just to Canberra.
"At any point 98 per cent of our national collection is held in storage. Over a million people have now had the chance to see a part of the national collection - that's usually hidden - because of the Sharing the National Collection program."
Member for Hunter, Dan Repacholi MP said the program is benefiting communities like his.
"This is world class art landing right here in Lake Macquarie.
"It's great to see the national collection being shared with communities like ours, where it'll inspire locals, attract visitors and become part of the landscape. It's a big win for the Hunter."
Director of the National Gallery, Dr Nick Mitzevich, said the loan gave a new audience the chance to experience the sculpture.
"This partnership marks a new chapter in the story of Andrew Rogers' sculpture, where it recently overlooked Lake Burley Griffin as part of the National Gallery Sculpture Garden, it will soon sit on the banks of Lake Macquarie in Booragul, New South Wales on long term loan."
"Gifted to the National Gallery from the artist in 2018 through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program, it is exciting we can now share this work with more Australians beyond the capital thanks to the Sharing the National Collection program."
MAC yapang's Director, Jasmine Kean said it was a win for the community.
"This loan of such a significant work from the national collection with its delicately balanced form will overlook Lake Macquarie; its ripples and tightly curling and unfurling form will nestle into the space and reflect on the movement of the lake.
"It will inspire our community and visitors who will have the pleasure of coming into close contact - we thank the National Gallery for this opportunity to share."
Sharing the National Collection is part of Revive, Australia's national cultural policy. The program has provided $11.8m over four years to fund the costs of transporting, installing and insuring works in the national art collection so that they can be seen right across the country.
Regional and suburban galleries can register their interest in the loan program here.
Images and their correct attributions can be found here.
