Fairy Tales to take over GOMA this summer
- The Gallery of Modern Art's (GOMA) summer blockbuster, Fairy Tales kicks off this weekend, presented across the gallery's entire ground floor.
- Fairy Tales is set to enchant locals and attract visitors to Queensland with the exclusive opportunity to explore enchanting stories through the lens of contemporary artists, designers and filmmakers.
- The exhibition is supported through blockbuster funding from the Palaszczuk Government to enable Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) to secure major and exclusive exhibitions that grow the state's reputation as a cultural tourism destination.
Visitors of all ages can venture into the woods from December 2 with GOMA's latest blockbuster exhibition Fairy Tales set to inspire memories, delight and thrill, through until 28 April next year.
Fairy Tales will explore folk stories through more than 100 artworks comprising sculpture, installation, painting, photography, printmaking, papercuts, animation, video art, augmented reality, film, props and costumes by leading contemporary artists, designers and filmmakers.
The exclusive-to-Brisbane exhibition is revealed to visitors through chapters, starting with 'Into the Woods' which considers the unpredictability and danger of folk stories and features Henrique Oliveira's major new commission Corupira 2023; 'Through the Looking Glass', which draws on childhood imagination and features gardens inhabited by creatures; and the final chapter, 'Ever After' celebrating love and relationships in fairy tales.
Fairy Tales joins the 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art and other recent blockbusters including Air; The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire; and European Masterpieces from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York as exclusive exhibitions secured through Palaszczuk Government Blockbuster investment.
Since 2016, blockbuster investment of $24.8 million, together with support from Tourism and Events Queensland, has supported QAGOMA to secure a pipeline of exhibitions injecting more than $140 million into the state's economy to date.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch:
"Fairy Tales will bring the enchantment of cherished stories to life through visual art and design in this incredible exhibition that will captivate visitors of all ages,"
"QAGOMA's exhibitions and programs, such as Fairy Tales, highlight the power of the arts to engage, enlighten and bring communities together, delivering on key priorities of the Palaszczuk Government's Creative Together 10-year roadmap for arts, culture and creativity.
"The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is set to showcase Queensland and our unique cultural identities, the depth of our creative talent, and our rich arts and cultures on an international stage.
"I am delighted Fairy Tales, developed by the talented QAGOMA team, features Queensland artists and creatives including Destiny Deacon, Tracey Moffatt and Jenny Watson, alongside national and international talent such as Patricia Piccinini, Henrique Oliveira, Carsten Höller, Anish Kapoor and Yayoi Kusama.
"It is vital we continue to provide platforms for our creatives and drive cultural tourism so all Queenslanders benefit from the legacy of 2032. That is why we have provided ongoing blockbuster funding for QAGOMA, and continue to invest in events such Woodford Folk Festival, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, and Townsville's Australia Festival of Chamber Music.
Quotes attributable to QAGOMA Director, Chris Saines:
"While fairy tales have changed form through different eras and societies, their themes have remained universally resonant. This exhibition transports visitors into the faraway land of magical stories that cast an enduring spell on adults and children alike," Mr Saines said.
"Among the enchanting works in Fairy Tales are Brazilian artist Henrique Oliveira's new commission Corupira 2023, which envelops visitors in a twisted forest fashioned from tree branches and salvaged timber; costumes and props from Jim Henson's iconic film Labyrinth 1986; Trulee Hall's darkly theatrical Witch House (Umbilical Coven) 2023; and Patricia Piccinini's Enchanted Field 2023, a dramatic canopy of approximately 3000 genetically modified blooms."
Background information:
- Fairy Tales is the latest exclusive to Queensland exhibition secured through the State Government's blockbuster investment to enable QAGOMA to secure major and exclusive exhibitions for Queensland.
- The 2023 State Budget included an ongoing commitment of $2.2 million per annum from 2025-26 to support a pipeline of new blockbuster exhibitions at QAGOMA.
- Fairy Tales opens on 2 December Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art and continues until 28 April 2024, featuring contemporary art, costumes, immersive installations, and cinema.
- A free curated film program screens alongside the exhibition in the Gallery's Australian Cinémathèque.
