- Queenslanders and visitors to the state will explore two new blockbuster exhibitions at GOMA showcasing leading Australian contemporary artists from tomorrow, 24 June 2023.
- ex de Medici: Beautiful Wickedness and Michael Zavros: The Favourite are set to take over the entire ground floor of GOMA.
- A strong pipeline of QAGOMA blockbuster exhibitions has been secured following last week’s State Budget with $2.2 million per annum from 2025-26 set to attract economy-boosting exhibitions that drive cultural tourism.
- QAGOMA blockbuster funding was cut by the Newman-Crisafulli LNP Government and restored by the Palaszczuk Government in 2016.
Retrospectives of two celebrated Australian artists will take over the Gallery of Modern Art with eX de Medici: Beautiful Wickedness and Michael Zavros: The Favourite opening tomorrow (24 June 2023).
From 24 June until 2 October 2023, GOMA will be the exclusive venue for these blockbuster exhibitions showcased alongside each other.
The exhibitions celebrate the stories of homegrown Queensland artist Michael Zavros and Canberra-based artist eX de Medici as they explore personal perspectives on beauty and grandeur, and challenge contemporary issues such as the fragility of life, power, and greed.
Michael Zavros: The Favourite showcases more than 90 works created since 1999, comprising paintings, sculptures, videos, and photography. It is the largest state gallery exhibition of Zavros’s work to date.
eX de Medici: Beautiful Wickedness features more than 100 works and documents the artist’s journey from early ephemeral works through to her most recent watercolours that reflect an ongoing collaboration with entomologists at the CSIRO’s Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra.
These blockbuster exhibitions are the latest in an incredible series of exclusive-to- Queensland exhibitions secured through Palaszczuk Government investment. Last week’s State Budget included an ongoing commitment of $2.2 million per annum from 2025-26 to support QAGOMA attract a pipeline of new blockbuster exhibitions to Queensland.
Blockbuster funding has enabled QAGOMA to present exclusive exhibitions like the 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art and recent blockbusters including The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire and European Masterpieces from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and Air.
Quote attributable to the Minister for the Arts, Leeanne Enoch MP:
“eX de Medici: Beautiful Wickedness and Michael Zavros: The Favourite are both mesmerising in their beauty and compelling in their content,” Ms Enoch said.
“For the next three months, QAGOMA will present the important artistic practice of these two leading contemporary Australian artists and provide a platform for sharing their stories, experiences and perspectives.”
“QAGOMA continues to bring us some of the most engaging and inspiring contemporary art in the country and across the globe. Works that connect us with the world and challenge us to think about how and where we live.”
“The Palaszczuk Government restored QAGOMA blockbuster funding in 2016 after it was cut by the Newman-Crisafulli LNP Government to boost cultural tourism into Queensland enable more Queenslanders to access world class exclusive exhibitions.”
“Palaszczuk Government support for QAGOMA delivers on the key priorities of our 10-year Creative Together strategy to renew and transform Queensland, creating bold and rich cultural experiences that share our stories and celebrate our story tellers.”
Quote attributable to QAGOMA Director, Chris Saines:
“QAGOMA is always aiming to inspire and capture the imagination of its visitors. eX de Medici: Beautiful Wickedness and Michael Zavros’: The Favourite are two exhibitions that do exactly that, celebrating two of Australia’s most distinctive and highly respected artists,” said Mr Saines.
“To be able to share the stories of artists like eX de Medici and Michael Zavros, along with international blockbusters such as European Masterpieces. The Gallery remains grateful to the Queensland Government for their continuing commitment to ensuring QAGOMA can deliver extraordinary exhibitions.”
Background information:
- The exhibitions open on 24 June at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art and continue until 2 October 2023.
- Audiences can see both exhibitions for the one admission price.
- Both artists have developed a free program of hands-on artmaking and online interactives for the Gallery’s Children’s Art Centre. These programs for children and families will be on offer from 24 June until 2 October 2023.
