APT 2002 Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Brisbane, Australia : Report

Those shows seized the imagination of the national and international art world in a way that no other Australian arts event has quite managed, becoming, along the way, a significant part of this country’s visual arts profile overseas. (Brook Turner, Australian Financial Review Magazine, 30 August 2002) Try to make it to the Queensland Art Gallery to see the Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT 2002). I think it’s the best so far. (Fae Barber, Sunshine Coast Daily, 16 September 2002) This exhibition if for all people of all cultures; it is colourful, happy, sad and tragic, it perfectly suits the diversity of Brisbane. (Daniel Simpson, Queensland Times, 12 November 2002) A sensory feast. (Karla Pincott, Townsville Bulletin, 10 January 2003) … this is a five-month art extravaganza which has put the Queensland Art gallery on the global visual arts map. (Sandra McLean, The Courier-Mail, 13 August 2002) … the APT has made Brisbane a key pitstop for the world’s leading artists and curators… (Sandra McLean, The Courier-Mail, 13 August 2002) One thing is for sure, the APT remains the most meaningful and potentially productive of all of Australia’s large-scale art events (the Sydney Biennales, the Adelaide Festival, the Melbourne International Biennale). (Rex Butler, The Courier-Mail, 21 September 2002) This year’s APT – this time curated in a more focused and engaging way … is a truly profound museological experience, in itself proof that something new is happening in world art. (Rex Butler, The Courier-Mail, 21 September 2002) And it confirms the fact that QAG … is today the most dynamic of Australia’s state galleries. (Rex Butler, The Courier-Mail, 21 September 2002) KIDS’ APT The classic “I’m bored” complaint is eliminated when children discover just how much fun contemporary art can be at the Kids’ APT. (Kristina Sullivan, Creations, No.2, Nov 2002) From conference papers to artist floor talks there is much to praise at this event. However, what delighted me most was to see a special section, “the Kids’ APT”, devoted to children and given a central space within the gallery. (Peter Hill, Sydney Morning Herald, 17 September 2002) As popular as the Kids’ APT is, it was interesting to see that many of the works in the exhibition itself held equal fascination for the children. And really, that’s as good a yardstick as any. (Karla Pincott, Townsville Bulletin, 10 January 2003) The Art Gallery is knockout at any time; when it’s transformed into a creative family paradise, it’s just plain marvy! (Ken Lord, the Sunday Mail, 19 January 2003) The activities provide the creative trigger points from which to explore the other works, catering for short attention spans but providing a starting point for discussions about what we like and don’t like and why. (Anna Reynolds, The Courier-Mail, 3 October 2002) ‘Summer Spectacular’ is a two-week interactive adventure playground for kids. (Debra Aldred, The Courier-Mail, 7 January 2003) DIVAS The irreverence, ribaldry and sense of fun that the Divas used in their catwalk performances to a jam-packed crowd signalled something beyond mere party entertainment, with aspects of visual excess and formal invention being harnessed to generate social and political critique. (Chaitanya Sambrani, Art Monthly, November 2002). …the hottest ticket in town. (Jonathan Mane Wheoki, Art New Zealand, No.105/Summer 2002-03) Maori grandmothers brush up against Australia Council beaurocrats amidst the colourful ambience of party lights, bamboo huts and oversized paper flowers surrounding the central cat-walk. (Julianne Pierce, Real Time, December – January 2003) MYER COLLECTION The normality of the art is reinforced by impressive examples of contemporary Asian art that have, since 1993, been acquired for the Kenneth and Yasuko Myer Collection of Contemporary Asian Art at the QAG – an example of patronage of the most enlightened kind. (Jonathan Mane Wheoki, Art New Zealand, No.105/Summer 2002-03) 65