While it still sits in its beloved space beneath the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts in Fortitude Valley, the IMA has relaunched with a new look. Designed by Berlin-based collaborative agency Studio Miessen, the updated space allows for more effective use of the gallery, and welcomes a brand new purpose for the lobby area – a bookstore. Studio Miessen specialises in spatial strategy and cultural analysis, and consists of a group of architects, designers, writers and creators from all over the world.

The polished concrete floors and minimalist industrial interiors of the IMA are now contrasted by striking pink purpose-built shelves and counters, transforming the lobby area into a new branch of the international Motto bookstore – dedicated to books, magazines, artists’ publications and editions. The Brisbane store has been opened by former manager of the original permanent Motto bookstore in Berlin, Joe Shakespeare, who also opened Motto Melbourne in 2012.

Aileen and Johan’s inaugural program sees two Australian-first solo exhibitions come exclusively to the IMA – Sarah Browne’s Hand to Mouth and Mierle Laderman Ukeles’s Maintenance Art Works. The gallery will also be collaborating with RESORT this weekend to present The Subtropic Complex, an exhibition of Queensland artists spread throughout the James Street shops from October 23.