Ron Mueck’s internationally-acclaimed Pregnant Woman sculpture has arrived in Maitland as part of a long-term loan from the National Gallery of Australia under the Sharing the National Collection initiative.
The hyper-realistic creation will remain at the High Street address until 23 June 2025.
Standing a towering 2.5m tall, Pregnant Woman is a striking depiction of a woman in the final days of pregnancy.
In what has become Mueck’s signature style, the sculpture shows the most intricate details of the human body while playing with scale.
Mueck, a deeply private artist, sculpted the woman over two years, between 2000 and 2002, along with three other creations of a similar theme.
The piece is thought to offer a contemporary perspective on the longstanding tradition of portraying the body and motherhood in art.
Born in Melbourne to German parents, Mueck, 65, now lives in the UK.
Maitland Regional Art Gallery (MRAG) was granted the long-term loan of his Pregnant Woman in September 2023 as part of the Australian Government’s Sharing the National Collection program.
“We’re thrilled and honoured to host one of Mueck’s most iconic works here at MRAG,” says gallery director Gerry Bobsien.
“This exhibition not only presents the first opportunity for regional audiences in NSW to experience Mueck’s powerful sculpture close to home, but also underscores our commitment to bringing world class art to the Hunter region.”
National Gallery deputy director Adam Lindsay says: “it is exciting to begin to see more works from the national collection on display across Australia through this special program.
“Through the Sharing the National Collection initiative, we have partnered with Maitland Regional Art Gallery to present a rare experience for the Hunter Valley community, who will be able to marvel at Mueck’s monumental hyperreal sculpture in their own backyard until June 2025.”
Three additional exhibitions will complement Pregnant Woman during the loan period, featuring new commissions and artworks from the MRAG collection that explore the body in art, family and humanity.
The exhibition of Mueck’s work will also include a schedule of interesting programs including prenatal yoga classes, reflective talks, arts health programs, life drawing, performances and education resources and programs for high school students.
Pregnant woman is on display from now until 23 June 2025.
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