OFFICIAL OPENING I SATURDAY the 24th of MAY, 6pm till 8pm
SHOWING DATES I 24th of MAY till the 4th of JUNE, 2025
TETHERED: A Joint Art Exhibition Exploring Contrast, Connection, and imperfection.
Newcastle-based artists Ree Hodges and Prudence De Marchi are excited to unveil Tethered, a joint exhibition opening Saturday, 24th May from 6–8pm at Leda Gallery, Newcastle. This evocative showcase brings together two distinct yet complementary artistic voices in a collection that embraces contrast, connection, and imperfection.
As prominent figures in Newcastle’s creative scene, both Ree and Prudence are known for their expressive, intuitive practices and strong ties to the local arts community. In Tethered, they present a series of abstract, textured works that move between grounded, earthy tones and moments of softness and spontaneity. The exhibition reflects their shared interest in nature, emotion, and the beauty found in things that don’t quite fit neatly together.
“We didn’t want to over-direct the work. We wanted freedom — to be guided by instinct, memory, colour, and texture. Sometimes that led to softness, sometimes to boldness. Both felt right,” say Ree and Prudence.
Ree’s work leans into contrast — celebrating the push and pull between light and dark, smooth and rough, stillness and movement. Her pieces feel honest and unfiltered, often emerging from an emotional response rather than a planned outcome. “Some works are richly textured, others quiet and minimal. I see that as a reflection of how our inner worlds shift — some moments are loud, others whisper,” she shares.
For Prudence, the process was about letting go of visual cohesion and trusting her instinct. “There’s something honest in not trying to make everything fit neatly together. I wanted to explore emotion through movement and colour, and let each piece find its own rhythm,” she says. The result is a collection that feels both considered and free.
Rather than striving for perfect symmetry or a unified aesthetic, Tethered explores the way artworks — like people — can be different yet deeply connected. Like tangled roots or drifting clouds, each piece stands alone but also speaks to the whole.