Queensland Art Gallery Annual Report 2004-05

Significant progress towards the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art’s opening exhibition, ‘APT 2006: Asia–Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art’, was made during 2004–05. The opening of the new building, combined with the fifth APT, will ensure an unprecedented national and international spotlight on the Gallery in 2006. On 3 June 2005 the first 14 artists confirmed to participate in APT 2006 were announced, following extensive curatorial research undertaken earlier in the year. This process continues, with up to 20 additional artists still to be announced. The production and strategic distribution of an illustrated booklet profiling the APT and the new Gallery ensured awareness of these significant projects in national and international arts communities. As planning for the new Gallery and associated initiatives continued, important projects were realised during the year. The exhibition ‘The Nature Machine: Contemporary Art, Nature and Technology’ built on the Gallery’s reputation for programming innovative exhibitions for children and their families. The survey exhibition ‘The Art of Fiona Hall’ revealed why Hall is one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists. The Gallery’s annual Prime youth event continued to evolve in 2005, this time taking the form of an exhibition of work by eight young Queensland artists. A new travelling exhibition, ‘Streeton: Works from the Queensland Art Gallery Collection’ commenced its regional Queensland tour. This exhibition includes some of the most admired paintings in the Collection by Sir Arthur Streeton. Indigenous art, and the strength of the Gallery’s contemporary Indigenous collection, was showcased through a number of exhibitions and Collection displays. ‘Blak Insights’ exhibited Collection works by senior and emerging Indigenous artists from across Australia, and was accompanied by a conference which brought together artists, curators, historians, writers and activists to discuss key issues in contemporary Indigenous art and culture. Solo exhibitions of work by Indigenous artists Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri and David Malangi were also presented at the Gallery, organised by the Art Gallery of South Australia and the National Gallery of Australia respectively. DIRECTOR’S OVERVIEW 9 The Gallery’s ‘managing change’ professional development program continued as planning intensified for the move to a two-site operation. Extended in 2004–05 to involve senior staff as well as section heads and managers, the program advances the strategic development required for the Gallery’s imminent expansion. The generosity of our supporters resulted in another successful public appeal by the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation during the year, this time to acquire Ian Fairweather’s Café tables 1957. In private hands since 1957, the painting is classic Fairweather: a sophisticated, yet playful, painting from this significant Australian modernist artist. I extend my thanks to all those who responded to the appeal, and whose contributions ensured the addition of this important work to the Gallery’s existing Fairweather holdings. Other acquisitions of note included Australian artist Susan Norrie’s video installation Enola 2004, which featured in ‘The Nature Machine’, Ah Xian’s porcelain China China – bust no.63 2002, and Carapace 1954, a significant postwar painting by British artist Richard Hamilton. The Gallery also received a generous gift from Mrs Arija Austin — in memory of her husband and former Chair of the Board of Trustees, Mr Richard Austin, AO , OBE — of a group of six porcelain and stoneware vessels to enhance the historical Asian art collection. For their continued support of the Gallery during the year I am grateful to many — the visitors who came through our doors this year, and our corporate and media sponsors and individual donors, who generously supported our exhibitions, projects and acquisitions. I also acknowledge Wayne Goss, Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Board members for their continuing support and vision, and Gallery staff for their vital contribution. The next 18 months will be pivotal to the Gallery’s future, holding equal promise of intensive work and exciting opportunities for all at the Gallery. More importantly, I hope it will be a time of continued engagement and great anticipation for our audiences, as we move together towards expansion to a two-site institution. Doug Hall, AM Director 8 Ian Fairweather Scotland/Australia 1891–1974 Café tables 1957 Gouache, watercolour and synthetic polymer paint on cardboard adhered to composition board 53.2 x 37.8cm (irreg.) Purchased 2004 with funds from The Queensland Art Gallery Foundation Fairweather Art Appeal, Jan and Spencer Grammer and the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation Grant © Ian Fairweather, 1957. Licensed by VISCOPY, Sydney, 2005