New interlocutor program for APT9

 

For ‘The 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art’ (APT9), QAGOMA Asia Pacific research arm the Australian Centre of Asia Pacific Art (ACAPA) has convened a group of ten highly respected artists, curators, critics and researchers to act as interlocutors, participating in discussions, lending expertise and testing issues in the development of the APT program.

The APT9 Interlocutor group is comprised of Reza Afisina (based Jakarta), Sana Balai (based in Australia with ties to Bougainville), Diana Campbell Betancourt (Dhaka), Katina Davidson (Brisbane), Greg Dvorak (Tokyo), Suman Gopinath (India), Shihoko Iida (Japan), Olivier Krischer (Australia), Laura Metzler (Sharjah) and Vera Mey (based in London and Cambodia).

The role of these experts is to liaise with the internal QAGOMA curators of APT9 around the content of the public program and larger ideas around this Triennial.

‘Conversations on Art in Asia and the Pacific’ QAGOMA, 30 November 2018’ Interlocutor discussion panel

The group met at QAGOMA for four days in late November 2017, and underwent a deep familiarisation with QAGOMA, the APT, its Cinémathèque, Children’s Art Centre, Public Engagement including Learning and Public Programs and the Brisbane context. Following three days of discussions and familiarisations at QAGOMA, the group then visited local galleries and studios.

During this time the visiting interlocutors and QAGOMA curators engaged in focused conversations that contribute to the thinking around the APT9 public and learning programs and the development of the APT model. These discussions broaden the relevance and reach of QAGOMA’s flagship exhibition series.

The Interlocutor Program is a vital component of this Triennial. It enables rigorous face-to-face discussion of the development of the Triennial and dialogue around the model and program. The Triennial benefits from this group of generous individuals with deep experience who are all furthering the significance, reach and exposure of APT9.
Zara Stanhope, Curatorial Manager, Asian and Pacific Art, QAGOMA

An important part of interlocutor engagement was a day of ‘Conversations on Art in Asia and the Pacific’ during which the interlocutors shared their current research with over 100 local and regional peers. Topics covered included artist-driven projects, platforms and international exchanges; structural issues in the creation of new art centres and a crowded marketplace for large-scale exhibitions; and the need for intraregional cultural connections across Asia and the Pacific. Focused presentations profiled the Brisbane based Indigenous curatorial collective BlakLash, new challenges and opportunities facing Jakarta’s longstanding Ruangrupa group, and the development of the APT9 Women’s Wealth project in Bougainville.

The APT9 Interlocutor Program was very important for the continuous conversations around the region. It functioned as an open and productive platform not only for positively speculating on the uncertain future of the region, but also for sharing and learning again what I had missed to learn in formal history. Big thanks to ACAPA and QAGOMA for inviting me to the Program!
Shihoko Iida (Japan), APT9 Interlocuator

The Interlocutors returned for the APT9 opening weekend, having been involved in the planning or participating in the APT9 Symposium. Subscribe to the ACAPA eNews to stay up to date with all QAGOMA’s Asia Pacific related activities.

APT9 Interlocutor discussions at QAGOMA

APT9 Interlocutor group

The Interlocutor visits have been made possible by support from the Australia Council for the Arts.

Visit the QAGOMA Research Library to research contemporary art of Asia, Pacific and Australia and APT archives.


Read more on APT9 / Subscribe to YouTube for behind-the-scenes video

Pangrok Sulap, Malaysia est. 2010 / Sabah tanah air-ku (detail) 2017 / Woodcut, offset ink on block-out blind, ed. 5/10 / Diptych: 414.5 x 300cm / Purchased 2017 with funds from Ashby Utting through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery / © Pangrok Sulap

APT9 publication

APT9 is made possible with the support of Founding Supporter the Queensland Government, and Principal Partner the Australia Council for the Arts. Women’s Wealth is supported by the Gordon Darling Foundation, and the Australian Government through the Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Feature image detail: Pangrok Sulap Sabah tanah air-ku (detail) 2017

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