Queensland Art Gallery Annual report 1999-2000

Cu --ura E\/e n--s The Gallery is committed to development, production contemporary art works of Torres Strait Islanders. a n d presentation of a variety of exhibitions a n d other There were 11 Collection-based exhibitions, ihosc events during the year i n order to reach the ma x i mum featuring Australian art including Lustre: Recent n umb e r of people in the community a n d to fulfil its Australian Jewellery, Thc A:: of Inclusion: Rcccnt mission to be the focus for the visual arts in Queensland. Australian Photography, a n J Mike Parr & Sally The Gallery presents its visitors with a diverse array of LEstrange: Suites of Prints'. Two displays featuring art works through children's displays, international a n d Queensland artists were 'Betty Quelhurst: Brisbane and Indigenous exhibitions, Collection-based displays a n d the Beach' a n d 'Ian Fairweather a n d the Orient'. Another other associated programs. For those unable to attend 11 displays included Queensland content. Shows the Gallery or its travelling exhibitions in regional featuring acquisitions through the Mycr family included Queensland, it makes selected exhibitions a n d associated 'Politics a n d Popular Culture: Contemporary Asian Art, activities accessible via the Gallery's website. 'Landscape' a n d 'Celebrating Patronage: Eight Years of Philanthropy b y the Myer Family to the Queensland Art EXHIBITIONS PRESENTED AT THE GALLERY Gallery', highlighting works from The Kenneth and A n extensive program of exhibitions of Queensland- Yasuko Myer Collection of Contemporary Asian Art. based, national a n d international art was presented, with Increased access to the Collection was provided by emphasis given to those initiated b y the Gallery. The year the continuing program of Rotation of Works of Art and saw many achievements, as the Gallery hosted two major b y displaying works through the program of Focus international exhibitions, numerous Australian-based Walls. Such displays included works from the Australian, exhibitions of works b y both Indigenous a n d non- Contemporary Australian, a n d Indigenous Australian Indigenous artists, a n d received critical acclaim for b o t h collections; the International collection; the Decorative the Third Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art Arts collection (including The Ellis Gift); a n d the Prints, (APT 3) a n d the associated Kids' APT. Drawings & Photographs collection (including 'Shifting The Gallery's commitment to organising a n d Focus: The Uses of Photography' a n d 'German displaying major exhibitions of international art Photography'). Those with themes across collecting areas continued with the presentation of APT a n d of 'Earth, included '18th-Century Decorative Arts a n d Painting'. Spirit, Fire: Korean Masterpieces of the ChosOn Dynasty'. The opening of two exhibitions celebrated special A record 154 025 people visited APT during its five- events: 'A Long Life: Restoration of the See Poy Portraits' mo n t h display at the Gallery. Both exhibitions were celebrated the Chinese N e w Year, a n d 'Betty Quelhurst: accompanied b y major interpretive catalogues. The work Brisbane a n d the Beach' celebrated International of important German pioneer of geometric abstraction, Women's Day. Erich Buchholz, was also presented. All three Currently in preparation are 'Animals W h o Think international exhibitions were initiated, developed a n d They Are People', the children's Collection-based presented b y the Gallery. exhibition of works depicting animals in human The major Australian exhibition presented during situations; 'Looking At Land, Seeing Country: A Focus the year was 'Jeffrey Smart', a n Art Gallery of N e w South O n Landscape', a group of exhibitions of Collection Wales travelling exhibition a n d the first retrospective of works highlighting the beauty, diversity a n d significance this popular artist's work. 'Ilan Pasin: This Is O u r Way of the Australian landscape; 'Urban Dingo: The Art of Torres Strait Art', a visiting exhibition organised b y the Lin On u s 1948-1996', opening in Sydney in August as Cairns Regional Gallery, explored historical a n d part of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Arts Festival a n d in