At the heart of the Art Gallery’s mission is the creation of welcoming art and cultural experiences for audiences, especially families and children, in its new building Naala Badu. In 2024-5, the Art Gallery commissioned artist, social sculptor and playground-maker, Mike Hewson, to transform the Nelson Packer Tank into an inclusive ‘art park’ for play, creation, exploration and community. Following a process of co-design with children, Art Gallery staff and the broader Sydney/Woolloomooloo community, The Key’s Under the Mat, has become one of the most boundary-testing exhibitions realised in the 150-year history of the Art Gallery. The project occupies a 2300 sqm former fuel tank and features many functional sculptures, including a barbecue, playground and water play area (all built from salvaged materials) that together form an anarchic art park and sculptural commons in which new and unexpected audiences can ‘find their place’.

The park cleverly combines spaces for visitors young and old, making it one of the most generous cultural offerings Sydney has ever seen – and all for free. Other popular social sculptures include a steam room and sauna, open-use recording studio, DJ booth, community gallery, an artist-designed cafe, communal laundromat sculpture, palm trees and other plantings, and an artist residency ‘hovel’.

Opened on 4 October 2025, the art park was immediately embraced by the largest, and most diverse, audiences of any exhibition on record at the Art Gallery. With more than 70 days to go, the project has already welcomed more than half a million visitors. Ranked by Time Out as one of the world’s Top 20 Attractions for 2026, this project demonstrates how art museums can redefine their role in the 21st century through a deep commitment to community, play, participation and resourcefulness.

Photography: Jessica Mauer, Mim Stirling, Diana Panuccio