2010: GOMA turns 10 countdown

 

As we continue our yearly countdown from 2006 to GOMA’s tenth birthday in December 2016, we highlight the exhibitions in 2010 that Brisbane embraced… do you remember ‘21st Century: Art in the First Decade’ (18 December 2010 – 26 April 2011) which marked the end of the first decade of this millennium? This ambitious and ground-breaking exhibition occupied the entire gallery and focused exclusively on works created between 2000 and 2010. ‘Ron Mueck’ (8 May – 1 August 2010) surveyed a group of major works by Australian-born, London-based sculptor. Mueck’s sculptures are some of the most widely acclaimed and identifiable works in the international contemporary art arena. ‘Unnerved: The New Zealand Project’ (1 May – 4 July 2010) the Gallery’s second in our series of country-specific exhibition projects; and not forgetting the hugely successful ‘Valentino, Retrospective: Past/ Present/ Future’ (7 August – 14 November 2010).

The name ‘Valentino’ has been synonymous with high fashion for more than 50 years, and was the first couture house recognised by the French government outside of Paris.

Exclusive to Brisbane, the ‘Valentino, Retrospective: Past/ Present/ Future’ was a major exhibition developed by the renowned institution, Les Arts Décoratifs, Paris, highlighting Valentino’s most important and iconic creations of his 49-year career.

Check out our opening night vox pop for the ‘Valentino, Retrospective’ and the opening weekend queue which snakes around the building and into the GOMA foyer.

Valentino Retrospective, Past, Present, Future queue GoMA exterior

Valentino Retrospective Past, Present, Future queue for tickets

The exhibition explored the work of the celebrated Italian fashion house Valentino, known around the world for its sophisticated, timeless design and glamorous clientele and celebrated Valentino’s remarkable career after his last couture collection, presented in Paris in the spring of 2008.

Showcasing haute couture from the first collection designed in 1959 by the house’s founder, Valentino Garavani, the exhibition concluded with work from the Autumn/Winter 2009–10 creations by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli – appointed as creative directors for Valentino in 2008.

Be reminded of the exquisite garments revealing Valentino’s mastery of the elegant line, classic form and opulent detail over five decades including the recurrence of geometric patterns and graphic prints, the skillful use of fabric to create dramatic silhouettes and, of course, the distinctive palette of black, white and ‘Valentino red’.

Designs from the house of Valentino have been coveted and worn by European royalty, Hollywood celebrities and members of high society the world over and the exhibition included garments worn by stars such as Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Lady Gaga.

Valentino installation view

Valentino installation view

Valentino installation view
Photographs: Natasha Harth © QAGOMA

GOMA is a place where people come together to be inspired. This summer will be packed with even more excitement as GOMA turns ten, so come along and help us celebrate from 3 December 2016.

‘Valentino, Retrospective: Past/ Present/ Future’ was designed and realised by Les Arts Décoratifs, Paris, with the assistance of the Valentino fashion house and organised in Australia by the Queensland Art Gallery and Art Exhibitions Australia.

#QAGOMA