Experience the wonder botanist Joseph Banks felt on his voyage from England to Australia 250 years ago with the immersive audio-visual exhibition Beauty Rich and Rare.
Returning to Australia following a hugely successful run at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington DC, Beauty Rich and Rare comes to Townsville as part of the North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA) COVID Safe.
Mayor Jenny Hill said this was an exhibition that was well worth visiting.
"I'm very excited to be able to experience Beauty Rich and Rare when it opens at The Ville Resort-Casino," Cr Hill said.
"To have an exhibition here in Townsville that was last shown at the world-renowned Smithsonian Museum of Natural History is fantastic, and just goes to show that NAFA really is a world-class event."
Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson Ann-Maree Greaney said the exhibition was visually stunning.
"Beauty Rich and Rare is an audio-visual feast. When you walk into the room there is a 20m screen made of five panels, which curves around you and the rest of the audience," Cr Greaney said.
"Angela Catterns, who a lot of people know from her work on Triple J and ABC, narrates the incredible visual journey, which is projected onto the 2.5m-tall panels in front of you.
"Beauty Rich and Rare was created by AGB Events, who are the visionaries behind HALO, so it's great to have more of their work return to Townsville for NAFA COVID Safe. This is the kind of exhibition that really takes your breath away, and is an absolute must-see."
Beauty Rich and Rare creator and AGB Events chief executive Anthony Bastic said it was exciting to bring the exhibition to Townsville.
"250 years ago, Joseph Banks and his team of botanists and illustrators, arrived in what is now known as Queensland. During their stay, Banks collected and identified many new species of plants and animals including the Kangaroo. It is such an honour to be able to share this digital exhibition featuring Australia's natural beauty with the people of Townsville," Mr Bastic said.
Beauty Rich and Rare runs from 9 October to 27 October at The Ville Resort-Casino.
Tickets to Beauty Rich and Rare are free and are available from the NAFA website.
