Speaking for ourselves, we can't wait for the weekend. While we watch the clock fervently, we have also found the time to hand-pick some fun activities happening around our city. Read on for a few ideas on what you can get up to during your free time this weekend ... more
From cultivating a punk scene that welcomed The Go-Betweens and The Leftovers to birthing these blokes and fostering a whole new generation of musically gifted talent, it's more than fair to say that Brisbane has had a major impact on Australia's music industry. A pivotal moment for our city's music scene happened between the 70s and 80s, where in suburban halls, corner pubs and bustling clubs, local bands and little-known artists thrived. State Library of Queensland's newest exhibition, Cut Copy, offers a snapshot of this transformative decade dipped in subculture, when artists took a DIY approach to not only music-making, but also music promotion. more
Everyone deals with break-ups differently – some of us mainline ice-cream, some of us watch The Notebook on repeat, some of us cyber-stalk our exes with a precision that would make ASIO proud and some of us set fire to every earthly possession that our lover has left behind. There are no hard and fast rules for mourning the end of a relationship, but there is a certain catharsis that comes from ridding yourself of everything that reminds you of your past paramour. Turning the concept of “filling a garbage bag with your ex’s stuff and literally dumping it on the street” into art is QT Hotel – because the reverse-cupids there have cooked up a concept designed to help you heal (but make it cute). Introducing Heartbreak Hotel, a pop-up exhibition where you can submit your relationship relics in the name of documenting love lost. more
Every four months, QAGOMA invites a new artist to share their studio practice and provide insights into how they work as part of its riveting Open Studio program. It's like speed dating, but instead of meeting potential romantic partners, you're being introduced to a new (and extremely talented) artist. From now until January 31 2021, gallery-goers can get to know Queensland artist Madeleine Kelly by getting a behind-the-scenes look into her artistic processes. more
Livestreamed talks, interactive experiences and a striking visual display will tickle the senses and pique curiosity at GOMA’s upcoming summer exhibition, The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire. The gallery’s ground floor will be awash with motorcycles while an innovative program of (COVID-safe) virtual events will douse you in knowledge. more
Light boxes, banners, vitrines and cliff walls will all become canvases for some of Brisbane’s best emerging artistic talent as Brisbane City Council’s newest Outdoor Gallery exhibition Sunny Side Up opens on November 30. more
If you've been looking for an excuse to make tracks to Museum of Brisbane (I mean, do you really need one?), then we have a very good reason for you! The inner-city cultural destination is home to a new exhibition that is sure to impress – Here I Come to The Very Edge by Brisbane-based artist Greer Townshend. The showcase, which first debuted earlier in the year to coincide with ANZAC Day commemorations, is now open to the public again from Wednesday November 11 to Sunday January 31. more
We may not be able to travel to other countries at the moment, but it seems we can take an excursion to space (figuratively speaking, of course). So we can reach for the stars and discover the wonders of the universe, Museum of Brisbane is firing up the rockets with the launch of its new cosmic digital installation CELESTON 2, which has been created by Brisbane creative duo Man & Wah. If you're ready to embark on an other-worldly journey, read on to find out more about this eye-catching exhibition ... more
Listen up, little mates. Now is the time. In this unprecedented year of global questioning, uprising and evolving, there’s no better time than the present to share your thoughts on climate change. more
One of our favourite activities in Brisbane is strolling through our riverside cultural precinct and thankfully, for art enthusiasts, this is back on the cards. One exhibition to add to your calendar is Unfinished Business: The Art of Gordon Bennett, which shines a spotlight on the art and legacy of one of Australia’s most influential contemporary artists, Gordon Bennet. Opening at the Gallery of Modern Art from Saturday November 7 and running until Sunday March 21, 2021, this striking exhibition will showcase the Queensland-based artist’s most popular and playful artworks and many yet-to-be-seen works from his collection. more
As many art lovers would know, The Bauhaus is arguably the most influential art and design school in history, later becoming an avant-garde movement that transformed modern art across the world. Through post-war migration in the 1930s, this movement even made its way to our little river city, and significantly influenced everything from modernist art to design and architecture. If you want to find out the secrets behind this story and check out some eye-catching European-inspired artworks while you're at it, make tracks to Museum of Brisbane for the new exhibition Bauhaus Now, open now until April 18, 2021. more
Spring has sprung and so has our wanderlust. If you're in need of a weekend getaway and some cultural goodness, take a roadtrip north for Noosa Open Studios, an annual art trail where gifted local artists open the doors to their studios so you can get a behind-the-scenes look into their work. more
North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) is well known as an oasis for sun-soaked summer adventures with surfing, whale watching and snorkeling luring in mainlanders on the weekends. Along with its natural beauty, North Straddie also boasts a rich history and culture, which has been carefully preserved by the traditional custodians of the land, the Quandamooka People, who have cared for Minjerribah for more than 20,000 years. So you can experience some of the island’s rich arts and cultural traditions, members of the vibrant local arts community are swinging open their doors and inviting visitors to their private studios, workshops and galleries as part of the Minjerribah Arts Trail from Friday September 18 to Monday October 5. Now, all you have to do is book a ferry ticket. more
Spring sees Brisbane bloom with a number of exciting events popping up all over the city. So you can streamline the new season celebrations, we have picked out some of the top events worth checking out from September to November. From month-long culture festivals to musical-filled picnics in the park, outdoor cinemas and world-exclusive exhibitions, there’s plenty to dive into this spring. more
Since moving out of its previous home at 109 Edward Street in The City, we have been eagerly anticipating the reopening (and rebirth) of Metro Arts. The famed creative institution has found its new stomping ground within the West Village precinct, bringing West End its first live theatre in a quarter of a century. To usher in the contemporary era of the 40-year-old multi-arts organisation, Metro Arts has lifted the curtain on its vibrant 2020 program, which includes a variety of electrifying performances, thrilling productions, eye-catching installations and enchanting exhibitions. It all kicks off when the doors open to the public on Thursday September 3, with a jam-packed itinerary of exciting events from the Brisbane Festival program. more
If you've been scrolling through socials lately, you have probably noticed your Insta feed filled with snapshots of a huge sparkling chandelier. Wondering what this bright-shining piece of art is? Well, we have the answer. It's Ai Weiwei’s breathtaking crystal-light installation Boomerang and, if you're in the mood to be inspired, we suggest making tracks to Queensland Art Gallery to check it out. more
Made famous by influential artists like Jean Dubuffet, Kurt Schwitters, Man Ray, Henri Matisse and even Andy Warhol, collaging is a technique of art creation where art results from an assemblage of different forms, in the end creating a new whole. This transformative mode of art was best described by art historian Pavel Zoubok, who said “Collage is the cut, the tear, the rupture and the overlay of our contemporary culture. It is the hybrid language of urbanity – remixed, re-contextualised, and wholly built from the fragments of daily life”. GOMA's new exhibition, Cut It: Collage to Meme, will explore this creative form of art and will showcase how artists have added layers to the meaning of pictures through the inventive techniques of collage, montage and sampling. more
Whilst some of us may have already made tracks to Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) to bear witness to its breathtaking new and refreshed exhibitions, we have also been eagerly anticipating the reopening of the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA). In great news for art lovers and adventure seekers, GOMA is now welcoming back visitors, so you can experience the full roster of works and distinct personalities of the two galleries. If you're planning on visiting QAGOMA, we have a few tips so you can curate your day to make the most of your trip. Read on for a sneak peek of what's on offer and how you can score free entry ... more
Have you got plans to do next-to-nothing this weekend? Maybe you're working from home and want something fun to do on your lunch break? Well, QAGOMA has got your back with a bunch of super-exciting online events that are sure to keep you entertained while you spend some time at home. From life-drawing workshops and virtual lectures to postcard projects and contemporary art talks, there are plenty of boredom-busting activities to try out. more
Beginning her artistic journey as a painter in 2008, Mavis Ngallametta utilised vibrant colours, traditional materials and her culture as a canvas to become one of the most well-regarded Indigenous artists in Australia. To honour her creative output and introduce her extraordinary works to a new audience, the Queensland Art Gallery is hosting a free exhibition that will give a new insight into the life of this talented artist. While the gallery and this breathtaking exhibition was forced to temporarily close its doors to visitors in March due to COVID-19, QAG is back and so is Mavis Ngallametta: Show Me the Way to Go Home. In even better news, this awe-inspiring exhibition has been extended until Sunday February 7, 2021. more
