It is known by several names, a testament to the length and breath of its journey. 

The Mayan, the Coquun, The Hunter. 

This river has shaped one of the most important regions in Australia, and along its mighty length, we have a large community of artists connected both geographically and creatively. 

In a new exhibition entitled Upriver Downriver, the waterway will be celebrated in art. 

It will displayed at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery from 10 June to 13 August. 

The exhibition is an opportunity to showcase the creative energy along the banks of the mighty river that flows from a small brook in the Mount Royal Range through Wonnarua Country of the Upper Hunter and Maitland, and down to the Port of Newcastle. 

Some of the region’s most established and award-winning artists will exhibit alongside new, young and emerging creatives.

Artists will include Graeme Wilson, Bronte Naylor, James Drinkwater, Ken O’Regan, Una Rey, Lottie Consalvo and Brett McMahon.

Gallery Director Gerry Bobsien says Upriver Downriver was set to be extraordinary.

“This major exhibition will take over all our gallery spaces, filling the building to the brim with Hunter based talent,” she said.

“It’s an extraordinary exhibition that demonstrates not only the artistic strength of the region, but also how artists in this community are intertwined and connected, both geographically and creatively.”

For the Gallery’s senior curator Kim Blunt, this is an exciting project, working with many artists who all have very different approaches to their work. 

“It is thrilling to see how different ideas and consistent themes emerged from artists working up and down the river,” she said. 

“Artists have long been champions of place with so many stories of community, character and our environment emerging through art.” 

Upriver Downriver is a free exhibition and there will be a launch event on Friday 23 June, from 5.30pm at Maitland Regional Art Gallery.  

The event is Auslan sign interpreted, and the centre is wheelchair accessible. 

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