Detailed review by magdadh
magdadh
Perth, United Kingdom93%
Brisbane's GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) is the newest addition to Brisbane's South Bank stable of cultural institutions: a large, modern building purpose-erected to be the second biggest public art gallery in Australia. The building is well designed and attractive in a square glass and metal sort of unashamedly modernist way, the space inside houses an excellent array of displays, imaginative and thought-provoking exhibitions.
We visited GOMA in July 2010, mostly in order to see the Ron Mueck exhibition that was then on display, but we also had a wonder around other galleries in GOMA.
Australian-born and London-based sculptor, Ron Mueck is known for his hyper-realistic resin figures of people, often naked and often facing major life (and death) events. I find it hard to grasp what it is that's so arresting in a lifelike in appearance but gigantic in size representation of a newborn, or a tiny (but also hyper-realistic) sculpture depicting a naked corpse of an old man, but regardless of what the appeal is, it's there: Mueck's work is incredibly compelling in a way that goes beyond a gimmick.
In addition to Ron Mueck's exhibition (for which the entry was charged at a rather steep 12 AUD per person), GOMA had other displays (all with a free entry) on at the time. "Spirited" showed works from GOMA's indigenous Australian collection, an impressive, beautiful and fascinating display including unique group of banumbirr (morning star poles) from Northern Territory. "Unnerved: The New Zealand Project" showcased extensive collection of new (and often decidedly unnerving) art from across the Tasman sea, while "The Ghost World" combined conceptual installation with children's art activities.
GOMA exhibitions change periodically, and the gallery doesn't have a permanent display, so it's difficult to make a reliable judgment based on one visit. However, assuming that what we saw during our visit was representative, it's an excellent gallery. The space is well used and conducive to its purpose, the location near to other cultural institutions is likely to increase positive buzz around the best exhibitions and the quality of the collection and/or the visiting exhibitions is very high. Together with neighboring Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane's newest public gallery is indeed a crown jewel in the cultural treasury of the city and comes highly recommended for anybody with any interest in modern art.
The Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) are within 150 metres from each other, in the South Bank complex in Brisbane.
Monday to Friday 10.00am - 5.00pm
Saturday and Sunday 9.00am 5.00pm
Free admission except for special exhibitions.
Queensland Art Gallery - Gallery of Modern Art9
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