Acclaimed artist James Turrell lights up GOMA

Published Friday, 13 July, 2018 at 07:00 PM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Leeanne Enoch

Queensland’s Gallery of Modern Art is set to be transformed by a major, new permanent work by acclaimed international artist James Turrell.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has officially launched Turrell’s artwork Night Life on Friday evening, illuminating the eastern and southern façades of the gallery with a shifting pattern of vibrant light.

“I look forward to Queenslanders and visitors seeing this extraordinary new addition to GOMA by internationally renowned light artist James Turrell,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Turrell fans have been known to travel the world to experience the skyspaces and architectural light commissions he has created around the globe, and I have no doubt they will now make the pilgrimage to Brisbane.

“There were a record 2.17 million visitors to the gallery last year and, with the success of exhibitions like Yayoi Kusama: Life is the Heart of a Rainbow and Patricia Piccinini: Curious Affection, 2018 is shaping up to be another mammoth year for our state’s glowing cultural heart.”

Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch said the ambitious and much-anticipated architectural light installation was the culmination of good planning.

“GOMA’s exterior was constructed with light boxes ready to house a light installation, and it’s a coup to now be welcoming a piece by one of the most respected contemporary artists in the world,” she said.

“It has been amazing to witness the realisation of this ambitious work, which James Turrell and his team have been developing in collaboration with GOMA staff.

“This artist’s permanent light installation in places like the Zug train station and FIFA headquarters, both in Switzerland, draw thousands of visitors each year, and we expect GOMA will also see even more art lovers flock to it,” Ms Enoch said.

Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) Director Chris Saines said James Turrell had worked within the creative realms of light and space for more than half a century, realising immersive and large-scale artworks that played with viewers’ perceptions.

“GOMA, a much-loved building, will be forever changed by this monumentally-scaled solid light work, a concept that realises a key aspect of the architects’ original design and vision for the building, where audiences will experience a deeply immersive field of slowly changing colour,” Mr Saines said.

“Commissioned to mark the tenth anniversary of the Gallery of Modern Art, Turrell’s major work has been realised with generous support from the Queensland Government, Paul, Sue and Kate Taylor, the Neilson Foundation and contributions to the QAGOMA Foundation 2017 Appeal.

“Turrell’s artworks are meticulously designed to encourage a spirit of contemplation and private reflection – he creates experiences with light and space that invite audiences to share a moment of reflection while in the company of others – so it will feel like light is coming from the heart of the building.”

James Turrell’s architectural light work Night Life will be visible from sunset to midnight daily.

For more information visit www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/turrell