ARCA ARCADE: Round One

ARCA ARCADE: Round One

6 June to 2 August 2026

Gallery 6

Arca Arcade: Round One is a convergence of nostalgic technology and contemporary artistic sensibilities.

Under the direction of designer Preston McNeil, playable arcade machines take on a transformative role as wall mounted installations that are adorned with te ao Māori influences and styles of Aotearoa New Zealand’s eminent artists. This collection stands as a poignant homage to the enduring allure and cultural significance of arcade gaming. Don’t mistake Arca Arcade for just a throwback to yesteryear, this modern take on arcade cabinet design becomes a canvas to explore the intertwining of inspiration and fabrication, to create the unexpected.

In this special exhibition format, Latrobe Regional Gallery proudly presents the first-ever Regional Victorian showing of Arca Arcade: Round One by acclaimed Aotearoa New Zealand artist and designer Preston McNeil. This debut brings McNeil’s vibrant celebration of arcade and retro style gaming and culture into a contemporary context, where traditional Māori and street art design, and cultural history converge. The exhibition extends his playful yet considered exploration of videogames as a legitimate form of fine art and immersive storytelling, inviting audiences to experience the joyful collision of nostalgia, identity, and contemporary creative practice.

Artists

​Preston McNeil

Featuring:

Image: Imagination Engine, 2023. Otis Chamberlain x Preston McNeil. Custom built arcade cabinet.