|
In the 1930’s Brisbane’s art scene was perceived as being typically conservative and the Queensland capital seen as a backward, sub-tropical city. Over time Brisbane has successfully re-invented itself and now enjoys the kudos as being a major centre for the arts and creative industries. Today Brisbane enjoys a thriving arts and culture scene, and while not quite as ground breaking as Sydney or Melbourne, Brisbane continues to undergo significant transformations ensuring the future of its art scene.
The re-development of once depressed inner city suburbs into active centres of cultural activity has added much to Brisbane’s pursuit of artistic recognition.
Brisbane hosts the Fine Art Expo – Exhibition and Sale in September, a recently established event which brings together practicing and professional artists and presents them to thousands of art viewers, buyers, dealers and collectors. The concept is to help establish and promote home grown fine art talent. Artists are also given the opportunity to sell their work direct to the public.
The Queensland Art Gallery is perhaps the best place to begin your journey of Brisbane's art scene. As the premier art gallery in Queensland it exhibits over 10,000 works from Australia and the world, and also supports a lot of work by Indigenous Australians.
Nearby is the QUT Cultural Precinct and Art Museum, dedicated to contemporary Australian art post 1960.
Public art can be found at the Roma Street Parkland and the Art Walk allows visitors to view each installation while walking through the gardens.
Multimedia art exhibitions can often be found at the Museum of Brisbane along with displays of design, social history and craft.
Customs House also has a permanent art display, and is owned by Queensland university.
Brunswick Street is alive with contemporary and ground breaking galleries, foremost being the Fire Works Gallery. As the name suggests the gallery is dedicated to Aboriginal art and incorporates dynamic cultural perspectives.
Fusions Gallery, also on Brunswick Street showcases locally made ceramic art and glass with a permanent collection by leading ceramic artists.
Opposite Fusions is the Philip Bacon Galleries, possibly one of the most popular galleries in Brisbane and a place for experienced art collectors. On sale are contemporary and 19th century Australian paintings,jewellery and sculpture.
The Jan Murphy Gallery presents interstate and local artists.
The Institute of Modern Art is another popular centre. It publishes a variety of texts each year, including theory texts, exhibition catalogues, and artist monographs.
Contemporary craft and design is also catered for at the Craft Queensland Gallery.
The Brisbane Powerhouse Centre of Live Arts, a multi-purpose performing arts centre, regularly features visual art exhibitions and public works of art.
There are also many other galleries to be discovered throughout Brisbane’s outer suburbs and a little further out of town is the Mt Tamborine Gallery Walk, a place of natural beauty and plentiful galleries.
|
