NEW WORKS TO LIGHT UP AUSTRALIA’S LEADING GALLERY OF MODERN ART
Published Wednesday, 11 October, 2006 at 10:56 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
New works by leading Australian and international artists will be unveiled to the Queensland public for the first time when the new Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) opens in December.
Premier Peter Beattie said a special acquisitions program for the Gallery had been underway since 2002, collecting more than 1100 post-1970 art works valued at $7.7 million.
“When this cultural landmark opens on the 2nd of December, Gallery visitors will have the chance to see art works never before seen in the Smart State,” Mr Beattie said.
“The Gallery has been carefully collecting a range of contemporary works by Australian and international artists in preparation for moving into the redeveloped cultural precinct.
“Of these, 126 significant art works have been bought through the Queensland Government’s Gallery of Modern Art Acquisitions Fund which was established specifically for the new Gallery.
“Other works have been acquired through purchase, commission, bequest or gift. They include paintings, sculptures, photographs, film and moving image works, installations, textiles, craft and jewellery.
“Many of these works have been carefully stored away for the past few years while the redeveloped precinct takes shape.
“The Gallery of Modern Art’s first exhibition will be the 5th Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art – the only major exhibition in the world to focus exclusively on the contemporary art of Asia, Australia and the Pacific.”
Almost 70% of the art works featured in the Triennial have been acquired by the Gallery for its collection.
Arts Minister Rod Welford said the completion of the $291 million Queensland Cultural Centre redevelopment in less than two months would cement the State’s important position on Australia’s cultural and artistic landscape.
“This is Queensland’s largest cultural infrastructure project in more than 30 years which will include Australia’s largest modern art gallery and a redeveloped State Library almost double its previous size,” Mr Welford said.
“It is an exciting time for us as we prepare to open these buildings and further position Queensland as a leader in arts and cultural development.”
/ends
Media contacts: Premier’s office on 3224 5000
Minister’s office on 3237 1000
October 11, 2006
Premier Peter Beattie said a special acquisitions program for the Gallery had been underway since 2002, collecting more than 1100 post-1970 art works valued at $7.7 million.
“When this cultural landmark opens on the 2nd of December, Gallery visitors will have the chance to see art works never before seen in the Smart State,” Mr Beattie said.
“The Gallery has been carefully collecting a range of contemporary works by Australian and international artists in preparation for moving into the redeveloped cultural precinct.
“Of these, 126 significant art works have been bought through the Queensland Government’s Gallery of Modern Art Acquisitions Fund which was established specifically for the new Gallery.
“Other works have been acquired through purchase, commission, bequest or gift. They include paintings, sculptures, photographs, film and moving image works, installations, textiles, craft and jewellery.
“Many of these works have been carefully stored away for the past few years while the redeveloped precinct takes shape.
“The Gallery of Modern Art’s first exhibition will be the 5th Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art – the only major exhibition in the world to focus exclusively on the contemporary art of Asia, Australia and the Pacific.”
Almost 70% of the art works featured in the Triennial have been acquired by the Gallery for its collection.
Arts Minister Rod Welford said the completion of the $291 million Queensland Cultural Centre redevelopment in less than two months would cement the State’s important position on Australia’s cultural and artistic landscape.
“This is Queensland’s largest cultural infrastructure project in more than 30 years which will include Australia’s largest modern art gallery and a redeveloped State Library almost double its previous size,” Mr Welford said.
“It is an exciting time for us as we prepare to open these buildings and further position Queensland as a leader in arts and cultural development.”
/ends
Media contacts: Premier’s office on 3224 5000
Minister’s office on 3237 1000
October 11, 2006