Behind the Scenes Talk Presence

Olafur Eliasson, Denmark b.1967 / Riverbed 2014 (installation view, GOMA, 2019) / Water, rock (volcanic stones [blue basalt, basalt, lava], other stones, gravel, sand), wood, steel, plastic sheeting, hose, pumps / Purchased 2021. The Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Charitable Trust / Collection: The Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Charitable Trust, Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © 2014 Olafur Eliasson / Photograph: N Harth © QAGOMA

Olafur Eliasson, Denmark b.1967 / Riverbed 2014 (installation view, GOMA, 2019) / Water, rock (volcanic stones [blue basalt, basalt, lava], other stones, gravel, sand), wood, steel, plastic sheeting, hose, pumps / Purchased 2021. The Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Charitable Trust / Collection: The Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Charitable Trust, Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © 2014 Olafur Eliasson / Photograph: N Harth © QAGOMA / View full image

When

5.30 – 7.30 pm, Wed 1 Jul 2026
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Where

Gallery of Modern Art

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair Accessible

What to expect

Admission

  • QAGOMA Member

    $34.00

  • General Admission

    $43.00

  • Youth 13-25

    $35.00
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About

How did a smouldering sun, real life rainbows and a trickling riverbed featuring over 100 tonnes of sand and river pebbles materialise at GOMA?

Join the QAGOMA team behind ‘Olafur Eliasson: Presence‘ for a candid conversation about hidden stories, technical insights and sheer wonder of bringing the artist’s visionary contemporary works from Studio Olafur Eliasson in Berlin to Brisbane.

Speakers:

  • Amanda Buxton, Assistant Registrar, Exhibitions, QAGOMA
  • Grace Liu, Exhibition Designer, QAGOMA
  • Catherine Collyer, Associate Conservator, QAGOMA
  • David Kay, Leading Hand, Workshop, QAGOMA
  • Megan Franks, Exhibition Designer, QAGOMA
  • Hosted by Geraldine Kirrihi Barlow, Curatorial Manager, International Art, QAGOMA

Schedule

5.30–6.30pm | Exclusive exhibition viewing
Experience the ‘Olafur Eliasson: Presence‘ exhibition in a crowd-free setting.

6.30–7.30pm | Behind the Scenes talk

Olafur Eliasson, Denmark b.1967 / Beauty 1993 (installation view, Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi, Florence, Italy, 2022) / Spotlight, water, nozzles, wood, hose, pump / Purchased 2025. The Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Charitable Trust. Collection: The Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Charitable Trust, Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © 1993 Olafur Eliasson / Photograph: Ela Bialkowska, OKNOstudio

Olafur Eliasson, Denmark b.1967 / Beauty 1993 (installation view, Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi, Florence, Italy, 2022) / Spotlight, water, nozzles, wood, hose, pump / Purchased 2025. The Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Charitable Trust. Collection: The Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Charitable Trust, Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © 1993 Olafur Eliasson / Photograph: Ela Bialkowska, OKNOstudio / View full image

'Olafur Eliasson: Presence'

About the exhibition
‘Under a Modern Sun: Art in Queensland 1930s-1950s’ opening day events/ August 2025 / Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane / Photograph: K Bennett © QAGOMA

‘Under a Modern Sun: Art in Queensland 1930s-1950s’ opening day events/ August 2025 / Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane / Photograph: K Bennett © QAGOMA / View full image

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What to expect

Here’s what to expect at this event.

Everyone is welcome! Please contact events.plus@qagoma.qld.gov.au in advance of the program if you have any accessibility needs or queries about the event. Find out more about Accessibility at QAGOMA and planning your visit.

Participation and content

  • You are welcome to come with a friend or by yourself. Many people attend the Gallery solo.
  • This event has an approximate capacity of 80 attendees.
  • We ask all attendees to be kind, respectful and courteous to all participants, speakers and staff at this event. This program will be monitored by QAGOMA staff to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our attendees, speakers and staff.

Sensory aspects and Access

  • Speakers will use an amplified microphone.
  • Please let us know in advance if you are hard of hearing so we can make this talk accessible for you.
  • A screen will be used during the event.
  • Chairs with backs will be available.
  • Different areas of the event and exhibition will be dimly or brightly lit (you may choose to wear sunglasses).
  • The Gallery air conditioning is set to 21°C to conserve the artworks.
  • The bathrooms have sensor lights which activate as you enter.
  • If the event becomes overwhelming or stressful, earmuffs and sensory kits are available. Each kit contains a number of resources for self-regulation and calming. Please speak to a staff member for assistance. These kits can also be requested in advance by emailing events.plus@qagoma.qld.gov.au
  • This event will be photographed by QAGOMA staff. If you do not wish to be photographed, please advise a QAGOMA staff member on arrival.

Companion Cards

We accept Companion Cards. A Companion Card is issued by the Queensland Government for those with a disability and need for attendant care support. The ‘Companion’ ticket type is only valid for your companion to gain complimentary entry. A General Admission, Youth or QAGOMA Member ticket is required for the Companion Card holder to access this event. A valid companion card number is required to be supplied upon booking.