Les Peterkin OAM Brings “Laughing Kookaburras” to Newcastle

A landmark exhibition at Bid Barn Auction House celebrates Australian wildlife, artistic legacy, and national recognition.

Les Peterkin OAM still remembers the first time a kookaburra’s call cut through the quiet of early morning. It was not simply sound, but presence, a reminder of place and continuity. Decades later, that same presence animates Laughing Kookaburras, his latest exhibition, opening at Bid Barn Auction House in Newcastle. For Peterkin, the show is both a creative milestone and a gesture of gratitude to a region that has welcomed his work with rare warmth.

An Exhibition Rooted in Place and Memory

Running from December 27, 2025, to January 4, 2026, Laughing Kookaburras presents a focused body of work devoted to one of Australia’s most familiar native birds. Rendered in watercolour, pastel, ceramics, and canvas, the kookaburra appears not as a decorative motif, but as a cultural symbol. Peterkin’s depictions capture humor, resilience, and a distinctly Australian sense of ease, qualities that have long defined his broader practice.

The exhibition marks Peterkin’s first major showing in Newcastle and offers visitors a rare opportunity to engage directly with the artist. Throughout the exhibition period, he will paint live in the gallery, inviting audiences into his creative process and underscoring his belief that art is most powerful when it is shared openly.

A Warm Welcome From the Hunter Region

Peterkin has spoken often of his appreciation for the Newcastle and Hunter communities, describing the reception to his work as both generous and deeply affirming. After decades of exhibitions, teaching, and cultural leadership, the opportunity to present this body of work in Newcastle carries particular significance.

“This exhibition represents years of observation and affection for Australia’s wildlife,” Peterkin has said. “To share it in a city that values creativity and community as strongly as Newcastle does is a privilege.”

For collectors and admirers, the exhibition also presents a rare chance to acquire original works. Several pieces of Peterkin’s ceramics, along with personal kookaburra memorabilia, will be displayed, offering additional insight into the influences that have shaped his career.

VIP Gala and Media Preview

Ahead of the public opening, Bid Barn Auction House will host a VIP Gala and Media Preview on December 26, 2025, at 5 p.m. The invitation-only event provides an early viewing of the collection and an opportunity to meet Peterkin in an intimate setting. Media inquiries and VIP requests are handled exclusively via email, reflecting the curated nature of the evening.

The preview will also trace key moments in Peterkin’s artistic journey, from early experimentation to national recognition, offering context that enriches the viewing experience.

Recognition on a National and International Stage

In 2025, Peterkin’s contributions to the arts were formally acknowledged with the Medal of the Order of Australia, awarded for his service to the creative community. That same year, he received another significant distinction when Best of Best Review named him Most Acclaimed International Artist in Newcastle, NSW of 2025.

The award recognizes artistic innovation, sustained excellence in craft, and meaningful impact on both local and international audiences. For Peterkin, whose career spans ceramics, painting, education, and cultural advocacy, the recognition reflects a lifetime of dedication rather than a single moment of success. It also highlights Newcastle’s growing profile as a city capable of nurturing and celebrating artists of international standing.

A Career Defined by Community and Craft

Peterkin’s path to prominence was neither linear nor insulated from challenge. Beginning his professional life as a physical education teacher in the 1950s, he soon turned toward ceramics, co-founding Studio 52A in Mosman and the Sydney Festival Ballet Company. After a devastating fire destroyed these ventures in 1980, he relocated to Tyalgum in the Tweed Valley, where he established Bakehouse Pottery and Galleria Artisans.

Across decades, Peterkin has remained committed to teaching and mentorship. He has worked with young artists, supported regional galleries, and brought music and art into nursing homes, believing creative expression to be a shared human necessity rather than a private pursuit. His service as Patron and Committee Member of the Ceramic Collectors’ Society in Sydney further reflects this ethos.

Exhibition Details and Continuing Legacy

The public exhibition at Bid Barn Auction House will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can expect an immersive experience that balances technical mastery with approachability. Watching Peterkin work in real time offers a rare perspective on an artist whose process remains as engaged and curious as ever.

More broadly, Laughing Kookaburras stands as a reflection of Peterkin’s enduring relationship with Australian landscape and culture. It is an exhibition shaped by observation, humor, and respect for the natural world, qualities that have earned him admiration across generations.

As Newcastle continues to position itself as a center for cultural exchange, Peterkin’s exhibition serves as both celebration and reminder: that lasting art is built through patience, community, and an unwavering connection to place.

Learn more about Les Peterkin OAM:

• Les Peterkin Pottery
• Les Peterkin on Facebook
• Les Peterkin on YouTube