Air

We are privileged to publish in this volume Distinguished Professor Lidia Morawska, Faculty of Science, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, QUT, Brisbane, writing on air from the outlook of a physicist, alongside writer and broadcaster Daniel Browning’s exploration of the greater theme of shared natural resources in First Nations philosophy and learning. ‘Air’ features major new commissions and acquisitions made possible with the generous support of some of the Gallery’s most valued benefactors, the Neilson Foundation, The Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Charitable Trust and Tim Fairfax AC. I also wish to extend the Gallery’s sincere thanks to our lenders, the Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide; the Holt/Smithson Foundation, New Mexico; the David and Indrė Roberts Collection; and TarraWarra Museum Art, Healesville, Victoria; as well as the many private lenders who have so generously supported the exhibition. We are grateful to be joined by a dedicated group of sponsors, comprising Strategic Partner Tourism and Events Queensland; Major Partners Shayher Group and Urban Art Projects (UAP); Tourism and Media Partners Brisbane Airport Corporation, Brisbane Economic Development Agency, JCDecaux, Seven Network and Southern Cross Austereo through B105; and Supporting Partners Bacchus Wine Merchant and Newstead Brewing Co. Most of all, we acknowledge and thank the artists for their singular visions which together form this compelling body of work filled with stories and ideas that tackle the very essence of the thing we live and breathe. ‘Air’ explores many facets of this critical shared resource from diverse vantage points around the globe. In presenting the exhibition, we are inevitably mindful of our own responsibility for social and environmental sustainability. This is so clearly a moment for deeper consideration about our collective impact on the world, and an opportunity for collective action. Tacita Dean / Chalk Fall (detail) 2018 (pp.20–1) Rachel Mounsey / Mallacoota fires in the sky 8 (from ‘Mallacoota fires in the sky’ series) 2020 18 Foreword