Nation Made is our artist-in-residence program, currently in operation at Precinct 75, the future home of Nation St Peters. The Precinct 75 program is unique in that we have invited a group of artists, musicians, artisans, and makers to use existing warehouse spaces while the site is still being built..
The site itself is rising from the original Taubmans paint factory, which opened in 1901. It's an important part of Sydney's creative history, and we're helping write the next chapter. Here, artists are not just coming in to decorate finished buildings, they're embedding culture at the ground level. We like to think of it as culture under construction.
Meet resident artist James Coe, a contemporary Sydney-based painter known for his inventive use of colour and texture. Coe’s practice explores the interplay between observation and imagination, transforming everyday environments—like urban streetscapes, domestic interiors, and natural landscapes—into vibrant, multi-layered paintings. His distinctive work features bold palettes and gestural mark-making, evoking atmosphere and emotion while shifting focus away from detail. Raised in Sydney and influenced by both local and international artistic movements, Coe’s exhibitions include major solo and group shows in Sydney and overseas, and his art reflects a deep connection to both place and lived experience.
“The city’s been pushing artists out for years with rising rents and no space to actually work. At Precinct 75, we’ve been given the freedom to create without expectation, in these spaces that would otherwise sit empty,” says Coe. “But the program provides more than just a studio. Here we’re writing part of the story of this place, helping shape what St Peters becomes, not just decorating it once the development is done.”VIDEO BY DEXTER KIM
"here we're writing part of the story of this place, helping shape what st peters becomes, not just decorating it once the development is done"
Precinct 75 will be Sydney's next cultural destination, featuring over 15,000 square metres of artisanal retail, commercial, and residential space that pays homage to the site's 'makers precinct' heritage. Located just 15 minutes from Sydney's CBD, the mixed-use development will include curated restaurants, bars, and creative retail spaces, all designed to bring new life to this special pocket of Sydney's inner west.
Nation St Peters is our build-to-rent (BTR) offering within this dynamic precinct, providing modern rental homes designed specifically for Sydney renters who value flexibility, security, and community. As part of Nation's innovative approach to Sydney rentals, residents can enjoy the freedom to take long and short-term leases, switch apartments as life changes, or relocate between Nation buildings without break fees. The development will feature over 200 premium build-to-rent apartments, providing quality homes for close to 1,000 people in one of Sydney's most connected locations.
PHOTOS BY PARKER BLAIN
Over the coming weeks, we will continue to share the stories and works from these amazing artists currently embedded at Precinct 75 as part of Nation Made.
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