APT7 Exhibition Report

Installation view of Blossom Gatherer II 2010–11 by Raqib Shaw, GOMA, December 2012 / Courtesy: The artist and White Cube, London / © Raqib Shaw APT7 marked a milestone in the history of the APT series and was the most ambitious exhibition to date. Two decades on, the exhibition continues to attract local, national and international interest, and its innovative and engaging approach to presenting contemporary art from the region is recognised and embraced by diverse audiences. APT7 significantly expanded the geographical and conceptual framework of the series, featuring works by artists from West Asia and the Middle East. The exhibition explored a number of ideas and connections reflecting the varied concerns and developments in contemporary art today. Occupying the entire Gallery of Modern Art and key spaces at the Queensland Art Gallery, APT7 featured new and recent works by 75 senior and emerging artists and groups from 27 countries across the region. The QAG Watermall was again a centrepiece, with senior Chinese artist Huang Yong Ping’s stunning 53‑metre serpent sculpture Ressort 2012 spiralling from the ceiling to the water. GOMA’s Foyer and Long Gallery were transformed by spectacular architectural installations and performance objects from Papua New Guinea, providing an introduction to APT7’s key theme of temporary structures. This theme extended throughout the exhibition. New Zealand artist Richard Maloy’s gigantic cardboard installation Big Yellow 2012 dominated GOMA’s River Room, while the elaborate environments by Japanese artist duo Paramodel used toys and hardware materials to create detailed evocations of endless construction. Works by Takahiro Iwasaki, Fiona Tan, Tiffany Chung, Phuan Thai Meng, Joanna Langford and Nguyen Manh Hung also explored these ideas using a range of media. APT7 provided a platform for a young generation of artists from Indonesia, one of the most active contemporary art scenes in Asia today. Six artists and groups — Uji Handoko Eko Saputro (aka Hahan), Wedhar Riyadi, Tromarama, Edwin Roseno, Tintin Wulia and ruangrupa — offered vibrant and witty takes on contemporary Indonesian culture, society and politics. APT7 was realised through the efforts of the entire Gallery staff and lead by Russell Storer, Curatorial Manager, Asian and Pacific Art. ‘I made visits to GOMA over five consecutive days to view the outstanding APT7. The exhibition, as always, was superb!’ APT7 VISITOR exHibition 13 EXHIBITION