Artists tackle weather theme
A REGIONAL exhibition working within a set theme, a high flying international exposition encouraging open-ended creativity, and boutique spaces geared up for Christmas offer a wealth of visual delights and thoughtful moments.
THE QUEENSLAND ART GALLERY OF MODERN ART
in Brisbane is hosting the 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT 9).
Now in its 25th year this signature event is featuring over eighty artists from more than thirty countries scattered from Iran to the Hawaiian Islands.
The exhibition includes installations, paintings, photographs, sculptures, textiles, and video from established and emerging artists.
The curatorial team has trodden lightly with a flexible brief that has given the artists freedom of expression for individual statements about their interests and concerns.
The galleries have become an extensive cabinet of curiosities, a giant ‘wunderkammer’ that shares, instructs, and cleverly maintains the gasp of surprise and wonder.
This happens in a literal way with Anne Noble’s active bee hive and her 3D images of bees arranged like exotic artefacts.
A more subtle version occurs with Qiu Zhijie’s vast Map of Utopia that climbs the foyer walls.
It combines calligraphy and cartography to map ideas and concerns rather than the geography of place.
Iman Raad’s huge mural based on the decoratively painted people mover vehicles such as ‘jeepneys’, a series of appliquéd narratives by Zahra Imani, the monk bowl Buddhist rosary by Htein Lin, found objects, historical details, artist made icons, concrete and paint that comprise the vast installation about chaos, harmony, destruction and renewal by Pannaphan Yodmanee, and “Giran,” the exquisite murmuration of wind and flight by Wiradjuri man, Jonathan Jones, are but a tiny sample of the visual abundance in this cultural smorgasbord that is a “must see” event. APT9 continues until April 28, 2019.
THE CROWS NEST REGIONAL ART GALLERY
is featuring work by the Artists of Crows Nest Group.
The exhibition pursues the theme of Weather in obvious, subtle, and sometimes oblique ways.
The vagaries of the weather are show in beach scenes by Julie R Sweeney, the pencil drawings by Lyn Johnston, the threatening sky in Michiko Gustafson’s landscape and Jennepher Hope’s clouds at Perseverance Dam.
The value of water as commodity, resource and potential danger is treated as compilation and abstract in two early works by AW Morton.
THE CROWS NEST COMMUNITY ART AND CRAFT EMPORIUM,
18 William Street, is showing an impressive range of handmade goodies that would make ideal Christmas gifts and nifty stocking fillers.
From toys, “Men’s Den” plaques, bunting, and cutlery mobiles, to wearable art, mosaics, bags, and hats there is something to fit all budgets.
THE DANISH FLOWER COMPLEX,
an essential stop north of Highfields on the highway, is an absolute Christmas treasure trove of imported tree decorations, wreaths, and garlands, as well as clothing, cushions, jewellery, and garden goodies.