Abbey Rich - A Place to Chat

Abbey Rich 
A Place to Chat
Concrete seating with design developed through workshops with the Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Suicide Prevention Network. 
Installed January 2025

Artwork Statement

A Place to Chat is designed to encourage people to engage with each other while enjoying the views of the lake and artwork.  

Through two community events, we worked together to design an artwork that is both functional and beautiful. Somewhere that you can go to have a chat, to look out at the water, to take a deep breath or simply just have a break as you walk around the Sculpture Park.

The compounding concerns faced by our community has resulted in an increase in suicides. With the growing distress faced by many in our community, there is an increasing need to connect those experiencing personal challenges to information and support. 

This artwork is part of the Happy to Chat worldwide initiative to create public places that encourage conversation. 

Artist Biography 

Abbey Rich is a public and exhibiting artist. They are most interested in public space, particularly community co-designed public art making. Looking predominantly at pattern, gender and environment, with collaboration, participation and site responsiveness being large pillars of their practice.

Their work intends to be easily approachable, to be welcoming and appeal to many people through colour, pattern and warmth.

Notably, exhibiting with MARS, Saint Cloche and James Makin Advisory.
Their work is held in collections across Australia, UK, USA and Asia. 

Acknowledgement

Fabrication by 2Barrows, community workshops in partnership with the Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Suicide Prevention Network.

Assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body and by the NSW Government through Create NSW.

Looking for mental health support in Lake Macquarie or Newcastle for yourself or someone you care about? Mental health support services in Lake Macquarie

If you or someone you know is in crisis, or you would like to talk with someone, you can access 24-hour support by calling Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Photo: Abbey Rich, A Place to Chat, MAC yapang Sculpture Park, 2025. Photo by Wanagi.