Opening Night

Join us at the New England Regional Art Museum for the opening night of two new exhibitions: The Neighbour at the Gate and Pochettes en Fête.

The Neighbour at the Gate

The Neighbour at the Gate is a major group exhibition presented by National Art School and guest curated by Clothilde Bullen, alongside Micheal Do and Zali Morgan. The exhibition brings together newly commissioned artworks that examine the enduring impact of Australian immigration policies and colonial histories on First Nations and Asian Australian communities.

Across photography, installation, moving image and mixed media, the exhibition explores themes of exclusion, identity, resistance and belonging, tracing the complex intersections between personal memory and national narratives. Through diverse artistic perspectives, The Neighbour at the Gate reveals the ongoing ways colonial systems continue to shape relationships, borders and experiences within contemporary Australia.

Pochettes en Fête

Pochettes en Fête celebrates the elegance, glamour and enduring allure of the vintage handbag. Bringing together a selection of beautifully crafted pochettes, clutches and evening bags alongside contemporary artworks, the exhibition explores fashion accessories not simply as objects of style, but as carriers of memory, identity and cultural history. From intricate beadwork and luxurious textiles to sculptural forms and exquisite detailing, these vintage and contemporary pieces speak to changing fashions, social rituals and the artistry of adornment across decades.

Presented as a special fundraising exhibition in support of New England Regional Art Museum, Pochettes en Fête invites visitors to experience a playful and sophisticated dialogue between fashion, art and collecting. The vintage handbag collection, generously donated by Jan White to raise funds for the gallery, forms the heart of the exhibition.

Event Information

Date: Friday 29th May
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Location: New England Regional Art Museum
Cost: FREE

Credit: Jenna Mayilema Lee, Portal to the Bangarr (billabong) (studio test), 2025. Image courtesy and © the artist.