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 based in Naarm (Melbourne). Since 2017, Abbey has worked with a range of clients in the public space including private clients, festivals, museums, galleries, and Councils, delivering over 50 murals and public works. 

Their work predominantly looks at gender, pattern and environment, with a particular interest in accessible and community co-designed public art making. Collaboration is key to Abbey’s practice, their work intends to be easily approachable, to be welcoming and appeal to many people through colour, pattern and warmth. 

Notably, Abbey has exhibited with MARS, Saint Cloche and Platform Arts. With commissions from the Immigration Museum, Minus18 and The Australian Open. Their work is held in private collections across Australia. 

Acknowledgement

Fabrication by 2Barrows, community workshops in partnership with the Lake Macquire 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.