"The key is under the mat" – Exploring Mike Hewson's creative playground at the Art Gallery of New South Wales

#ArtInteraction #SydneyExhibition #FamilyOuting

At the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) in central Sydney, there's an exhibition called "The Key's Under the Mat," a groundbreaking exhibition that encourages play, movement, and participation. It's by New Zealand-born, Sydney-based artist Mike Hewson. This is an experiment in transforming an underground space into a playground, sculpture, and shared community space. The invitation, "The key is under the mat," suggests, "You're welcome, come in, this is your space."

🕰️ Opening Hours:

The exhibition opens daily at 10:00 AM. Located in the underground Nelson Packer Tank area of AGNSW, it opens on October 4, 2025, and runs until 2026. Admission is free.
(It is recommended to check the official website before visiting to confirm opening hours and any changes due to events or maintenance.)

🏖️ Environment/Facilities:

The most striking feature of this exhibition is its complete transformation of the underground tank space "Tank" into a playground-like art space where people can actually enter, play, build, and share.
• Space Overview: The Nelson Packer Tank, a former large underground oil tank/wartime fuel storage tank, is a vast space with numerous concrete columns. Hewson spent 14 months creating this exhibition, using thousands of recycled materials to create the flooring, slides, monkey bars, sauna, recording studio, public barbecue area, and other interactive features.
• Interactive Facility Highlights:
• "Road Plate Public Barbecue": Constructed from a giant steel plate, it features five grills and an exhaust system.
• "Site-shed Sauna": A 1980s existing shed converted into a working sauna, featuring stained glass and recycled floor tiles.
• "Tiny Wide Slide Stack": A pink slide paired with a climbing structure made of wooden pallets and sandstone fragments.
• Recording Studio, Production Studio, Music/Art Creation Space: Hewson offers the privilege of being a user, not just a spectator.
• Suitable for families, children, and adults: The flooring is made of recycled soft rubber for increased safety, and the design accommodates adult participation and creative desires.
• Visiting Tip: Wear comfortable clothing and shoes, as you'll be walking, climbing, sliding, and exploring. Suitable for both children and adults, but please consider your own safety and interests.
• Special Reminder: Although this is a playground-like setting, it is still within the museum's exhibition area. Please respect public facilities, avoid disturbing others, and follow museum instructions.

📍 Address:

Lower Level 4, Nelson Packer Tank, Naala Badu Building, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

💰 Cost per person:

Free admission. This exhibition is open to all ages and backgrounds; no tickets are required.

(Special activities or workshops may incur additional fees; please check in advance.)

🔍 Why it's worth a visit?

1. Breaking the stereotype of "art museums = static viewing": Hewson's philosophy of "sculpture as a playground" allows visitors to not just "look," but "enter," "get hands-on," and "play."

2. A family-friendly art space: Children can run and climb, while adults can sit and reflect or participate; it's a cultural experience that can be shared by all generations. 3. Ingenious Design and Materials: Numerous recycled materials, construction site components, and old equipment are transformed into art and play spaces, allowing visitors to experience the concepts of "regeneration," "transformation," and "community."

4. Free, High-Quality, and Highly Accessible: For travelers, this is a high-return, low-cost cultural event, especially suitable for planning in Sydney's city center.

5. Ideal for in-depth travel sharing: If you're a blogger like the one mentioned earlier, hoping to write travelogues or experience reports, this experience provides a sense of storytelling, interaction, and memorable moments.

✏️ Tips
• Visit in the morning or early afternoon to avoid crowds.
• If traveling with children, be sure to pay attention to the location and safety precautions.
• Bring a camera/phone to record interactive experiences, but ensure safety before using slides or climbing structures.
• Combine this with a walk through nearby The Domain or Hyde Park, including a stroll through the green spaces before and after the art exhibition for a more enriching experience. • Check the museum's website to confirm whether reservations are required for workshops or special events (such as music and creative projects).

In short, "The Key's Under the Mat" isn't an exhibition you stand on the sidewalk to observe; it's a place you can "enter, step on, slide down, sit down, and play." If you're looking for an artistic, creative, interactive, and family-friendly experience in Sydney, this is definitely worth a visit.