Happy New Year!
I am very excited to share with you my first post of 2017. While I was in Brisbane over the Christmas period, I visited the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) with some friends. Currently, there is an exhibition titled GOMA Turns 10. A few months ago GOMA ran a poll on Facebook asking followers to vote for which artwork should make a return to celebrate this milestone. The awesome silver slide running from the top to the ground level won. I am mentioning this because I thought it was a great way to engage their Facebook audience!
I cannot believe that GOMA is already 10. I remember when it first opened and I visited to see the Andy Warhol exhibition. It is definitely one of the best contemporary art galleries I have ever seen. It is such a beautiful building overlooking the Brisbane River and tends to have quite interesting exhibitions. This year will be a big one with the Marvel exhibition set to open in late May. To say I am looking forward to this exhibition is a massive understatement. I could not be more ready for May.
For this post, I am going to focus on my five highlight artworks from GOMA Turns 10.
1. Ikea Dinosaur
Someone clearly heard about my love for dinosaurs and Swedish furniture. I interpreted this sculpture to be a commentary on how both Ikea furniture and dinosaurs come in pieces that have to be assembled. Also, trying to assemble both on your own can lead to unnecessary frustration.
2. Finches
One of the exhibition spaces has been transformed into a temporary home for a lot of finches. It was a very tranquil space with soothing music and constant little chirps. I do not recommend you visit this space if you have a fear of birds. They are free to fly around and have little nests attached to the coat hangers.
3. Lush Bag Tree
There were around four (maybe five) paper bags inside glass cases attached to the wall of the exhibition space. Each paper bag had a section missing from the top. When you looked inside the bag you could see that the missing paper had been transformed into a little artwork. I thought this was such a delicate and adorable piece of art.
4. Heard (Detail)
You are now face-to-face with one of thirty decorated ‘soundsuits’ or costumes on display each with its own unique design. The first of these suits was created in 1992 by Nick Cave in response to the beating of Rodney King by Los Angeles police. They are designed to express individuality whilst also “shielding identity markers such as skin colour, gender, and sexuality”. Click on the link below to learn more about these pretty amazing costumes. There is so much more than what meets the eye:
http://learning.qagoma.qld.gov.au/?p=6230
5. Furry Wall
The furry wall of GOMA. I was glad to learn it is meant to be interpreted as grotesque. The first thing that came to mind when I saw it was edible fairy floss. Luckily for WH&S it is not. Created by Icelandic artist Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir, the wall is actually constructed from dyed fluorescent synthetic hair.
There is so much more to see and explore at GOMA. If the photographs do not entice you to visit then what about free entry, air conditioning, and a very nice gift shop! GOMA has been such a wonderful addition to the cultural landscape of Brisbane. Once you have finished your visit, it is a very short walk to the State Library of Queensland, Queensland Art Gallery, and Queensland Museum. A perfect day out.
Curate Your Own Adventure 