the textures and colours of apt7

I think this detail Sara Rahbar's work sums up the whole Asia Pacific Triennial in Brisbane.... 

Ive been trying to write this post since i arrived back from Brisbane.

I rarely struggle with a blog post, as I usually try and keep them simple, like a diary entry.

But this one has been hard. 

Simply because the 7th Asia Pacific Triennial (APT7) at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) in Brisbane was...
Incredible. Massive. Detailed. 

And overwhelming. 

Again.

Three years ago I went with my mate Amelia to see this exhibition that had been celebrated and loved for some 17 years. We didn't know what to expect.
And as such, we were completely blown away. 

I remember how excited it made me about art - and more specifically - the contemporary art world. 

This year was no different.

Over two days I learnt a lot about the art and peoples of Papua New Guinea, the emerging artists' of Indonesia, and many places in between.  I realised that the art world is changing, and becoming more diverse in its points of view. As one person eloquently put it: the art world is shifting its boundaries. No longer do we have to look toward New York, London, Paris and Berlin for the experimental artworks and edgy artists. Now we can go to Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka and Tonga - by way of New Zealand!

Anyway.... as you can see... I have a few photos to share with you.

And i hope they give you a tiny idea of how amazing this massive exhibition was.

The APT celebrated its 20th birthday this year.

I cant wait to see where it will be in another 20 years time!

 This is what greeted you as you entered the massive doorway of GOMA!
Brikiti Cultural Group (Abelam Peoples, PNG),  Korumbo (Spirit House) 2012.

( clockwise, from top left)
Aware Peoples from PNG with their ceremonial masks entitled Tabuan Katmut Mut 2011;
Kwoma Arts Project from PNG and their 200 panel Spirit House Ceiling that was mounted on the wall;
Alex Gabour (PNG), and his Ule and Neo (male and female fish Masks) 2011;
 Iatapal Cultural Group (PNG), Mary 2011 headdresses 

Made in Company (China), Spread 201009103, 2010.
This multicoloured installation greeted you as you entered one of the rooms at The
Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) which showcased some of the APT7 artworks. 

(clockwise, from top left)
Solpolemalama Filipe Tohi (Tonga/NZ), Kulasi 2003-12 ,installation of lalava;
Asmat wooden carvings from the Asmat region of Papua;
Sulka Peoples of PNG and their beautiful headdresses;
Sara Rahbar (Iran/USA), and her multi textured recycled flag artworks on the wall

(Clockwise from top left)
Nguyen Manh Hung (Vietnam) and a detail of his amazing installation Living Together in Paradise 2009;
Takahiro Iwasaki (Japan), Reflection Model (Perfect Bliss) 2010-12;
PARAMODEL(Japan), How to Make a Paramodel,  Room Installation,2012;
Huang Yong Ping (China), Ressort 2012, steel water snake sculpture @ QAG

Lorainne Connolly-Northey (Aust),  Narbong (String Bag) Installation 2012;
Shirley Macnarmara (Aust), Wingreeguu 2012, floor installation;
Detail of Lorainne's steel string bag installation (this was an big as me!);
Patrick Freddy Puruntatameri (Aust), Wooden Carving sculptures
and paintings by Timothy Cook (Aust/Tiwi), Tutini 2012

* b r i s s y *

Brisbane Lane ways * April * 2013

Last week I ventured to Brisbane for a whirlwind three day trip to see the 7th Asia Pacific Triennial (APT7) at GOMA, as I loved it so much when I saw it 3 years ago. For those who dont know what im gabbing on about the APT is a HUGE art exhibition that specifically focuses on art made by artists' from Asia and the Pacific. Its a unique concept and always inspiring - as just when you think you've seen it all, this kind of exhibition gently taps you on the shoulder and lets you know that you don't know everything... or anything about the art world today. There is always something new to see and discover. 

If you're curious about the show from 3 years ago, this is what I discovered and wrote about in 2010.

And Ill talk more about this years exhibition when I have all my images sorted.

But im getting off track!

Today's images are all about day three. 

The day Amelia (my equally devoted art-nut friend) and I went exploring in Fortitude Valley and New Farm. 

We had already completed two massive days at the APT and were flying out that night. 

So we thought we would take the time to see a little more of Brisbane. 

And shop!

And somewhere in-between those two suburbs we found a few amazing lane ways that turned me into a wide eyed 4 year old. 

There is something kinda lovely about discovering an amazing artwork on a nondescript wall, in a hidden lane way.

Its finding unexpected.

I think.

APT shennanigans...part 2.

Anyone else hitting the hot water bottle hard???
Hello winter...How are you?!!!!
It's coldy cold cold at the moment and only a dose of warm weather Brisbane nostalgia will do today!! I'm dreaming of The Asia Pacific Triennial trip, and all the amazing art and tropical heat that i experienced...
A favourite combination of mine...!!
So I'm finishing off my roll of images and hoping you enjoy my trip down memory lane...
I swear Ill be back to my old self tomorrow...
Enjoy...!!

Play time!!! Oh this was a brilliant installation by

Alfredo + Isabel Aquilizan... It mixed colour, craft

and play all in one and was the most interactive exhibit...

A detail on the wall... Hundreds of school kids

made these planes so it was not just about the artists' and their

egos and overt political statements...

Quiet and technical...

Paintings by Egyptian/Australian

Raafat Ishak...

A beautiful Sufi space to contemplate...

by Ayaz Jokhio from Iran...


Buddhism vs tacky, glittery stickers!
Who won???

This was my fav artwork of the week last week
The most hypnotic and beautiful space I had seen up there...

and totally artificial too...

The piece was by Kibong Rhee

Kabooooom!!!!
Man made kitchen pans face art explosion!!
Sculptural piece by Subodh Gupta from India
called Line of Control 2008


I couldn't finish off without a couple more cute images
by Yoshitomo Nara
and his Mobile van of fun!!

This is what it looked like in the main atrium

of GOMA....

So cute and a nice positive way to finish off

...me thinks!!

Hope you enjoyed my abridged virtual tour...

Next stop???

some pics from the APT....part one.

Seems like years....
but my trip to Brisbane to see the 6th Asia Pacific Triennial was not that long ago; and yet I never shared my photos with you!! Sorry... I don't mean to hog them!
Now that Im back from the craziness of the residency I thought it was time to share a few images of that amazing exhibition with you before I visit more of the Sydney Biennale sites....
This is part one...

Kohei Nawa's PixCell-Elk #2 2009

In a white white room stood a crystal elk...

and it was fantastical...

It was an actual Elk that had been taxidermied and then covered with glass beads...

unbelievable...and disturbing!

Buddha wallpaper anyone??

People Holding Flowers 2007 by
Zhu Weibing + Ji Wenyu from China...
This piece had colour, movement and a political feel ...
like a march for a cause! Collective cause...

Yoshitomo Nara + GRAF's mobile studio installation in the central atrium of the

museum was fun, cute + a tiny break from some of the serious pieces on display...

Sopheap Pich from Cambodia called Buddha....

such a beautiful piece that had a reflective and calm statement to make...

I loved this piece!

Reuben Patterson from New Zealand with his work

Whakapapa : get down upon your knees 2009...
This piece was HUGE and the best place to look at it was from above!


This hanging paper installation was in the stairwell of the museum and was HUGE!
It had movement as well, as the wind moved the piece and created a wave type effect...
It was by Wit Pimkanchanapong from Thailand....
and was called...
Test installation for Cloud 2009.



This was one of my FAVOURITE WORKS! It was called 'O' 2009
and it was by Hiraki Sawa from Japan....
It would take too long to explain but let me just say that every sense was thought about in this piece.... the sounds, the movements the thoughtful gestures and contemplative mood... so amazing!

Had to give you another shot....

The beautiful and meditative Mushroom Mantra 2008 installation by Charwei Tsai...

It was one of the first pieces we saw as we walked into the exhibition and it was one of my favourites as I left Brisbane on the way home...

To be continued....