ABOUT

Ann Newmarch b 9/6/1945 - d 13/1/2022

​

The decision to rename a Gallery is not often made, and therefore the honour of such a change isn’t bestowed upon many. For our community however, the name change is a respectful and very gracious nod to former Prospect resident and renowned Australian artist Ann Newmarch. Famous for many ‘firsts’, Ann was no stranger in our community, and could be seen in the heart of many creative escapades and political debates. She forged the way in creating the vibrant community we see today. Ann, deeply humbled by the announcement of the Gallery renaming, saw much more to her name than what we would at first glance. 

When asked about how she was feeling, Ann wasn’t hesitant in sharing that her surname was more than just a word. “I feel I am true to my name Newmarch, and it’s a good name, a positive name. I have taken many ‘firsts’ and always marched forwards,” importantly noting, “and I have stepped aside to let others do the same”. In thinking more deeply about this, Ann reflected, “I feel like I have led the new march in many things for myself and the community… the first in this, the first in that.”

The vibrancy and creativity that now adorns our Council area, from stobie poles and murals, to the Prospect Gallery itself, is a testament to the guidance, perseverance and strong determination that Ann and the broader community showed in the 1980s in raising the profile of arts in the community and creating a strong grass roots movement. Beyond this, she was the first person to have an Artist in Residency with City of Prospect, the first woman to have a retrospective exhibition by the Art Gallery of SA, and is a widely celebrated artist, with many significant Australian institutions holding her works in their collection. An Order of Australia recipient in 1989, an outstanding political activist and a trailblazer in feminist art, Ann remained incredibly humbled and community focused. “I feel very privileged in many areas of my life, and this is a real honour.”

​

The Prospect Gallery officially became the Newmarch Gallery in October 2019 when the new doors opened on Prospect Road, and a range of celebrations took place to mark this incredible journey and paved the way for the new march ahead!