Review—Queensland Art Gallery (QAG)
Review is a series where I review things that are more than a 100-word review on Google Maps. I aim to include as much detail as possible without spoiling the experience and some tips on how to improve your experience too.
Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) is larger of the two neighboring art gallery buildings on Kurilpa Point in Brisbane, Australia. QAG primarily focuses on traditional and historical artworks. It houses a diverse collection that spans various periods, styles, and mediums, including paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and Indigenous art. QAG also hosts temporary exhibitions featuring both national and international artists. While the other art gallery, Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), places a special emphasis on contemporary and modern art.
Editor’s note: I visited QAG in November 2023 and April 2024. Some pieces shown in this article are no longer on display.
Table of contents
· Table of contents
· Quick facts
· Gallery itself review
· Exhibition review
· Australian Contribution
∘ First Nations Peoples Art
∘ Modern vibes
∘ Less modern vibes
· International Contribution
· Final thoughts aka TDLR
Quick facts
- Open 10am-5pm daily
- Free entry with some paid exhibitions
- Public transit and parking are available
- Mobility impaired and wheelchair access and hire are available as well as free sensory kits — for a full list of accessibility accommodations
- Located on: Stanley Place, South Brisbane QLD 4101
Gallery itself review
The QAG was designed by Robin Gibson and opened in 1982 with a brutalist and monolithic appearance. The exterior appearance can be confusing to navigate as there are multiple entrances at different levels with maze-like hallways. Stanley Place itself is disorientating at times as there are many ways to get to one location, however, there are signs to help you navigate.
Once you are in the building, it is less complicated. Staff are friendly. Cloak room is available, must check in your backpack and anything larger.
QAG and GOMA are both art galleries, one is bigger than the other and one is more contemporary.
Lots of workshops and tours, usually on a weekday. stuff for kids to do, cinema showings
Exhibition review
Australian Contribution
First Nations Peoples Art
The orange painting, though monotone in color, had an interesting texture.
The blue sheen on Judy Watson’s painting was mesmerizing and intruging. The exhibition of mudunama kundana wandaraba jarribirri is still showing from 23 March - 11 August 2024.
Modern vibes
The only physical movement-related display when I went, now no longer displayed.
Chinese ink, rain and fire on cold-pressed paper for the left. The right painting with the solo man in the ways reminded me of the sea of depression.
Less modern vibes
International Contribution
The texture from Woods III, a collection, contains both jagged and flowy lines that really encapsulate a feeling into a wooden piece. Woods III is shown from 2 March 2024 - 27 January 2025.
Final thoughts aka TDLR
100% would go again once every couple of months as the exhibitions get shown for quite a while. Some areas of the museum are quite dim and not that interactive, very visually dependent.
