The story of Judy Watson’s tow row transcends its physical form and speaks of cultural retrieval and community activation. This stunning work, generously funded by the Queensland Government, the Neilson Foundation, Cathryn Mittelheuser AM and others, is a fitting acknowledgment of the ancestor spirit of Kurilpa. Public art has the power to change the cultural…
Judy Watson’s work is deeply connected to concealed histories, the significance of objects and the power of memory and loss. In tow row, Watson has responded to a site close to the Brisbane River by referencing woven nets used by Aboriginal people of the area, acknowledging the traditional owners of the site and their everyday fishing activities…
This morning, it was my pleasure to be joined at the Galley of Modern Art (GOMA) by Leeanne Enoch, Queensland’s Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy and Minister for Small Business, for the announcement that Queensland artist Judy Watson has been selected to realise a major public artwork at the building’s entrance. The…
Continue reading » “Judy Watson to create public artwork for GOMA entry”
As ‘mudunama kundana wandaraba jarribirri: Judy Watson’ opens at the Queensland Art Gallery, the QAGOMA Research Library unpacks the Judy Watson Artist File. Here, we explore some of the treasures of this artist’s ephemeral journey so far, from an invitation to the artist’s earliest solo exhibition — ‘bath icons’ (1986) (illustrated), held at Gippsland Institute…
Continue reading » “The treasure of ephemera: One artist’s story”
Visit the latest Queensland Art Gallery Watermall installation featuring the powerful scultpures of walama 2000 until 11 August 2024. The exhibition ‘mudunama kundana wandaraba jarribirri’ celebrates the work of Queensland artist Judy Watson — born in Mundubbera and lives and works in Meeanjin/Magandjin/Brisbane — in her most extensive solo exhibition to date. walama (illustrated) consists…
Continue reading » “Bronze sculptures reference dillybags & termite forms”
Transformation is an essential element in the fairy tale tradition. A change of appearance can signal or conceal a character’s true identity. While some characters alter their own appearance to escape or trick others, many are victims — transfigured as punishment. The spells that trigger these transformations are, in many cases, broken by a character’s…
Continue reading » “Fairy Tales: The history & hidden meaning of ‘Beauty and the Beast’”
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art stands and recognise the creative contribution First Australians make to the art and culture of this country.