Published Friday, 04 July, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
GoMA welcomes 50,000th visitor to Picasso & his collection
Arts Minister Rod Welford today welcomed the 50,000th visitor to Picasso & his collection, less than a month after the exhibition opened at the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA).
Mr Welford said an average of more than 2000 people a day had visited the exhibition since it opened on 9 June.
“These figures reflect the huge amount of interest in Picasso & his collection and speak volumes about the value of GoMA hosting such a show,” Mr Welford said.
“It is clear there is a strong demand for this kind of world-class exhibition in Queensland.
“Since opening in 2006 GoMA has presented exclusive international exhibitions of two of the 20th century’s greatest artists – Andy Warhol and now Pablo Picasso.
“Picasso & his collection follows the success of Andy Warhol which attracted more than 230,000 visitors over its four-month season, from December 2007 to March 2008.
“The State Government’s $291 million redevelopment of the Cultural Centre has been an important factor in the Gallery’s ability to attract these international exhibitions.”
Curated by Anne Baldassari, Director of musée national Picasso in Paris, Picasso & his collection presents more than 100 key works from Picasso’s extraordinary personal art collection plus more than 80 works by Picasso himself. More than 35 artists including Matisse, Renoir, Cézanne, Miro, as well as Oceanic and African works feature.
Queensland Art Gallery Director Tony Ellwood said Picasso & his collection, closes on 14 September, is also proving extremely popular with students and young people.
“The Gallery has already received bookings for up to 322 school groups for more than 12,678 students to visit the exhibition in coming weeks,” Mr Ellwood said.
“While the Friday night Up Late program, featuring live music and guest speakers, has already attracted 2322 visitors.”
The Queensland Government has supported the exhibition through Queensland Events Corporation and the Queensland Government’s Exhibition Indemnity Scheme. Picasso & his collection was also made possible by Art Indemnity Australia, an Australian Government program through which the Commonwealth acts as insurer.
For details on tickets and accommodation packages visit www.qag.qld.gov.au/picasso
Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000 or 0417 791 336
Mr Welford said an average of more than 2000 people a day had visited the exhibition since it opened on 9 June.
“These figures reflect the huge amount of interest in Picasso & his collection and speak volumes about the value of GoMA hosting such a show,” Mr Welford said.
“It is clear there is a strong demand for this kind of world-class exhibition in Queensland.
“Since opening in 2006 GoMA has presented exclusive international exhibitions of two of the 20th century’s greatest artists – Andy Warhol and now Pablo Picasso.
“Picasso & his collection follows the success of Andy Warhol which attracted more than 230,000 visitors over its four-month season, from December 2007 to March 2008.
“The State Government’s $291 million redevelopment of the Cultural Centre has been an important factor in the Gallery’s ability to attract these international exhibitions.”
Curated by Anne Baldassari, Director of musée national Picasso in Paris, Picasso & his collection presents more than 100 key works from Picasso’s extraordinary personal art collection plus more than 80 works by Picasso himself. More than 35 artists including Matisse, Renoir, Cézanne, Miro, as well as Oceanic and African works feature.
Queensland Art Gallery Director Tony Ellwood said Picasso & his collection, closes on 14 September, is also proving extremely popular with students and young people.
“The Gallery has already received bookings for up to 322 school groups for more than 12,678 students to visit the exhibition in coming weeks,” Mr Ellwood said.
“While the Friday night Up Late program, featuring live music and guest speakers, has already attracted 2322 visitors.”
The Queensland Government has supported the exhibition through Queensland Events Corporation and the Queensland Government’s Exhibition Indemnity Scheme. Picasso & his collection was also made possible by Art Indemnity Australia, an Australian Government program through which the Commonwealth acts as insurer.
For details on tickets and accommodation packages visit www.qag.qld.gov.au/picasso
Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000 or 0417 791 336