Exhibition: A soft space to stand
The Lock-Up Newcastle
Wed 21 Jan '26 – Sun 03 May '26
Overview
In a world of hard edges, how do you observe softness? On the inverse, how do you find a stable footing on soft surfaces? Tread gently at The Lock-Up and uncover softness through time-based practices.
'Soft' is at once grounding and unstable, in the ever-changing fleshy vessels that hold you (your own and of others), the porous boundaries between imaginary and visceral worlds, or the socio-political terrains that conceal slippages of shifting…
In a world of hard edges, how do you observe softness? On the inverse, how do you find a stable footing on soft surfaces? Tread gently at The Lock-Up and uncover softness through time-based practices.
'Soft' is at once grounding and unstable, in the ever-changing fleshy vessels that hold you (your own and of others), the porous boundaries between imaginary and visceral worlds, or the socio-political terrains that conceal slippages of shifting ground. Hardness is easily defined in its rigidity, oppression, and the absolute. Softness is more elusive: softness is slippery, subjective, and often taken for granted.
Softness is the methodology in this group exhibition of interdisciplinary practices, installation, moving image, video, film, and animation. Against harsh realities of personal and environmental disasters, or the unyielding grind of time, softness manifests itself as subversion, surrender and resistance. 'A soft space to stand' includes works by Jamie Bastoli, Jasmine Craciun, Alysha Fewster, Fiona Lee, David Lobb, Ali Noble and Nicole Smede. Consider what it means to respond to the social, environmental and existential crises of living.
They're hard launching their Soft Opening Party on Saturday 13 December. Entry by donation, limited capacity, bookings and early arrival encouraged.
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Location
FAQs
Accessibility
Allows a person's carer free entry into participating venues and events
Actively welcomes people with access needs.
Ask all visitors if there are any specific needs to be met
Caters for people who use a wheelchair.
Caters for people with allergies and intolerances.
Caters for people with sufficient mobility to climb a few steps but who would benefit from fixtures to aid balance. (This includes people using walking frames and mobility aids)
Have a doorbell or intercom at an accessible height and display a contact number (accessible height is 900mm-1100 mm)
Have a step free main entrance to the building and/or reception area (includes ramps or slopes with a maximum gradient of 1:14, otherwise are too steep for wheelchairs)
Have a wheelchair accessible toilet / shower and change room
Have an accessible public toilet which is unlocked
Have at least one wheelchair accessible parking space with wheelchair accessible signage clearly displayed (International standards are 3200mm wide x 2500 mm high)
Have grab rails in the bathroom
Have step free outdoor pathways (includes picnic areas, barbecues and shelters)
Modify your cooking and cleaning practices to cater for people with food allergies or chemical intolerances (could include menus with meals free from: nuts, dairy, seafood, eggs, gluten etc)
Offer a range of contact methods for receiving complaints
Offer multiple options for booking - web, email, phone
Provide portable ramps
Provide seating in common areas including reception area
Train your staff in communicating with people with learning or behavioural challenges
Use non-slip tiles in the bathroom or slip resistant matting
Use Plain English / easy read signage and information (includes menus and emergency information)
Welcomes and assists people who have challenges with learning, communication, understanding and behaviour. (includes people with autism, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, acquired brain injury (ABI), dyslexia and dementia)