GALLERY EXPLORES CONTEMPORARY QUEENSLAND ARCHITECTURE

Arts Minister Rod Welford today announced the 22 architectural practices whose work would feature in a new architecture exhibition at the Queensland Art Gallery next year.

Mr Welford said Place Makers: Contemporary Queensland Architects would open at the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) in May 2008.

“This exhibition will represent several generations of Queensland architects and explore significant residential, public and institutional projects built in the past 15 years,” Mr Welford said.

“Clever urban design and fresh thinking about design in daily life will be part of this major new architecture exhibition.

It is the largest art museum exhibition to be presented in this country on the work of contemporary Australian architects.

“This exhibition is an excellent opportunity to highlight our design strengths and the talents of Queensland architects and broaden the general public’s understanding of the profession.

“It will also explore the architects’ responses to climate and site, Queensland’s lifestyle and challenges ahead as the state faces unprecedented growth.”

Place Makers: Contemporary Queensland Architects will exhibit work from: Rex Addison, Andresen O’Gorman, Arkhefield, Bark Design Architects, Bligh Voller Nield, Bud Brannigan Architects, Lindsay & Kerry Clare (Architectus), Cox Rayner Architects and Planners, Donovan Hill, Richard Kirk Architect, JMA Architects, m3architecture, Ian Moore Architects, Owen and Vokes, Phorm Architecture + Design, Gabriel Poole, Riddel Architecture, James Russell Architect, Brian Steendÿk, Jennifer Taylor, Elizabeth Watson Brown Architects and Wilson Architects.

Gallery Director Tony Ellwood said Place Makers represented a significant new initiative for the Gallery.

“Architectural exhibitions are part of many major international art museums’ programs however they are still quite rare in Australia,” Mr Ellwood said.

“By exhibiting architecture, the Gallery will extend audiences’ expectations and understanding of what constitutes visual culture.

“This broad view of visual culture underpins other key initiatives at the Gallery in recent years, such as the Children’s Art Centre and the Australian Cinémathèque.”

Place Makers: Contemporary Queensland Architects has been developed with the support of the Creative Industries unit within the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry with plans for the exhibition to tour internationally in the Asian region.

Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000