APT9 brings a wave of groundbreaking art across all realms to QAGOMA
Every three years, QAGOMA plays host to one of the world’s most important and enlightening exhibitions. While all of the art that passes through the galleries continues to keep us stimulated (and delighted), the Asia Pacific Triennial series holds a special place in the hearts of Brisbane locals. The date has rolled around again and we couldn’t be more thrilled to explore the goodness that APT9 has in store.
It’s been three long years since the APT series was last at QAGOMA, and by all accounts APT9 is set to be one of the most ambitious efforts to date. The landmark exhibition brings together a carefully curated selection of significant art from all across the Asia Pacific and brings it to our shores. The free event is always guaranteed to surprise and delight, providing a unique blend of creativity and cross-cultural insight that also happens to be mighty lovely to look at. This year’s APT features more than 80 artists and groups from over 30 countries, and is jam-packed with of never-before-seen installations, paintings, sculptures, photographs and video from emerging and senior artists. It’s not just about the visual art, either – APT9 comes with a thought-provoking cinema program, academic symposium, creative hands-on experiences for kids, tours, programs and special events for all ages.
In such a big program, it’s almost impossible to pick a highlights reel – but we’ve scoped the APT9 offering to showcase some pieces we’re very excited for. Kuwaiti artist Monira Al Qadiri’s four-sided video installation DIVER is a key work that will conjure a large-scale aquarium into the Gallery, while My forest is not your garden (a major new work by Singapore-based artists Donna Ong and Robert Zhao Renhui) is set to totally transform QAG’s Watermall into a landscape investigating the artifice of nature. Another Triennial must-see is a display of large, circular sculptural forms created from nassa shells by members of the Gunantuna community of Nangananga village from East New Britain, Papua New Guinea. Leading Chinese artist Qiu Zhijie has also been on site at GOMA since late August creating his amazing Map of Utopia installation – trust us when we say you won’t want to miss it.
Entry to APT9 is free, with the exhibition opening at QAGOMA from November 24 – for more information and in-depth information on the huge roster of accompanying events, head here.
Image credits:
1: Zico ALBAIQUNI / Indonesia b.1987 /When it Shook – The Earth stood Still (After Pirous) 2018 / Oil on canvas / 200 x 120cm Courtesy the artist and Yavuz Gallery
2: Aisha KHALID / Pakistan b.1972 / Your way begins on the other side (detail) 2014 / Gold plated steel pins and fabric / Collection: Aga Khan Museum, Toronto / Image courtesy the artist and Aga Khan Museum
3: Gunantuna Nidok (initiation) ceremony with Ceremonial Spears (Ulang and Rumu) and Diwarra (shell money) fees, East New Britain, July 2017. / Photograph: Gideon Kakabin
4: CAO Fei / China b.1978 / Asia One (still) 2018 / HD video installation: 63:20 minutes, sound, colour, ed. 2/7 ed. 1/8 / Purchased with funds from Tim Fairfax AC through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation 2018 / Collection: The Queensland Art Gallery
5: Joyce HO / Taiwan b.1983 / On the second day, Saturday, your three minutes… 2017 / Installation view, Art Basel Hong Kong / Image courtesy: The artist and TKG+, Taipei
6: Iman RAAD / Iran b. 1979 / Installation view, ‘Tongue Tied’, Sargent’s Daughters, New York, 2017 / Image courtesy: Sargent’s Daughters
7: Hassan SHARIF / Iran/United Arab Emirates c.1951-2016 / Cloth and Paper 2005 / Cloth, paper and glue / Variable dimensions / © Estate of Hassan Sharif / Image courtesy: Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde
To find out more about what’s on in Brisbane, head to our Event Guide.
