California dream lights up Queensland Art Gallery

Levi jeans, a Greg Noll surfboard, iconic furniture by Charles and Ray Eames and Barbie will be living the California dream as part of the Queensland Art Gallery’s California Design 1930–1965: Living in a Modern Way exhibition.

Arts Minister Ian Walker invited Queenslanders to feel the vibe of some of the 20th century’s most iconic designs when the exhibition opens tomorrow (2 November).

“I met the exhibition’s curators at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) earlier this year in the US, and I’m delighted that California Design is coming to Brisbane,” Mr Walker said.

“Queensland and California have a similar warm climate and an inclination toward outdoor living, so the works on display and the lifestyle that inspired them are things locals will really be able to relate to,” Mr Walker said.

“I’m always pleased to see Queensland offering varied cultural tourism experiences and the Queensland Art Gallery is the only place in Australia where this unique collection will be on show.

“It will undoubtedly lure visitors from far and wide as previous exhibitions have.

“The success of this year’s APT7 and Quilts exhibitions demonstrates just what a drawcard Brisbane has become for cultural tourism with large numbers of visitors coming from interstate and in the case of APT7, overseas.”

Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) Director Chris Saines said California Design brought together an astonishing spectrum of innovative designs that remain influential today.

“The exhibition is presented in four themes that explore the shaping, making, selling and living of the California dream,” Mr Saines said.

“It has more than 250 defining objects of the 20th Century, including furniture, fashion, ceramics, jewellery, metalwork, architectural drawings and film.”

The exhibition’s global tour has also included presentations at The National Art Center in Tokyo and the Auckland Art Gallery, New Zealand.

The exhibition also has an Up Late program including live music and talks on Friday nights 8 November – 13 December.

California Design 1930–1965: Living in a Modern Way is a ticketed exhibition. For tickets and more information visit www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/californiadesign

[ENDS] 1 November 2013
Media Contact:     Alex Bernard     0417 252 563