Material Memory turns objects into stories of meaning
Dean Stewart’s Material Memory is now showing at Tweed Regional Gallery Murwillumbah.
What’s happening?
Regional artist Dean Stewart’s solo exhibition Material Memory is now open at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre, running until Sunday 30 November 2025.
The exhibition transforms salvaged and discarded objects into assemblages that explore memory, meaning, and the emotional resonance of material.
Why it matters
The exhibition invites viewers to reflect on how reclaimed objects carry history and evoke nostalgia. Stewart’s work shows how beauty can be uncovered in the overlooked, elevating discarded fragments into objects of memory and meaning.
Local Impact
Presented under the Gallery’s PLATFORM program, Material Memory highlights the talent of regional artists and strengthens Murwillumbah’s place as a hub for contemporary art. Visitors from across the Northern Rivers and beyond now have the chance to connect with Stewart’s works in a major gallery setting.
By the numbers
Runs for more than three months, from 15 August to 30 November 2025.
This is Stewart’s second solo exhibition following his February–March 2025 show Direction Forward at Lone Goat Gallery.
Stewart’s works already feature in private collections across Lennox Head, Ballina, Mullumbimby, Sydney and Oxfordshire, UK.
Zoom In
Dean Stewart’s practice is rooted in collecting and re-purposing found materials. With a background in interior design, sign writing, and visual merchandising, and training at the Byron School of Art, Stewart brings craftsmanship and sensitivity to his assemblages. His ability to highlight texture, form, and composition gives discarded remnants new life.
Zoom Out
The PLATFORM program at Tweed Regional Gallery creates opportunities for regional artists to present ambitious solo shows in a professional gallery setting. Material Memory not only adds to the Gallery’s dynamic calendar but also contributes to the broader recognition of Northern Rivers artists on a national stage.
What to look for next?
With Material Memory continuing until 30 November, visitors still have plenty of time to explore Stewart’s evocative works. The exhibition also signals the rise of more regional artists stepping into larger platforms, with Stewart’s evolving career one to watch after his successful first solo exhibition earlier this year.
See the full catalogue HERE.