Last week we took our daughter to the underground level of the Art Gallery of NSW, where Mike Hewson’s The Key’s Under the Mat is currently on display. It is both an art installation and a playground, and a bit like a community park .It is an interactive installation-style exhibition, with a large space and very bold colours.
An art playground themed around “the key is under the doormat,” the entire space is made from thousands of pieces of recycled materials.
Children can swing, build blocks, and draw here, while adults, between art and life, can rediscover the joy of creating!
Our daughter draws wherever she goes, the pen in her hand is like her magic wand. She also made a small craft here.
It feels like the moments of growing up again together with our kid is so beautiful.
However there isn’t a lot for very young kids to play with. It’s more about taking photos and experiencing the environment.
For younger kids, it is mainly visual stimulation plus photo opportunities. Bright, colourful visuals and interactive installations like pulling ropes and pouring water with adults guiding them.
Young kids can sit and play in the small sandpit for a while. There is also a swing nearby that is quite baby-friendly.
There are also some children’s picture books you can flip through. We find this kind of interactive exhibition is more suitable for kids than a traditional exhibition.
In the end, we went to the Art Gallery library to read and draw.
The Key’s Under the Mat even details
Art Gallery of NSW (Lower Ground Tank, Level 4 underground)
Free exhibition, enter and exit anytime
Open daily 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Wednesdays extended to evening)