The sculpture, called Black Totem 2, is an exaggerated white egg perched atop an 11 meter tall black post. Incidentally, 11 meters is the same height as the gallery itself.
Newcastle Art Gallery's Assistant Director, Tristan Sharpe, says hundreds of people have come to see the egg already.
"[It] really has the right feel for Newcastle... that sort of 'industrial' heritage as well as the egg about regeneration and rebirth which Brett [Whiteley] was very interested in," he said.
The sculpture is one of two made by Whiteley, the other being the match sticks in front of Art Gallery New South Whales.
Previously, the piece was on loan in Sydney and has been donated to Newcastle by Whiteley's widow, Wendy.
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| Black Totem 2 in Walsh Bay, Sydney |
