Workshop: Playful Eye

Name: Workshop: Playful Eye
Start: 2025-10-03T22:45:00.000Z
End: 2025-10-03T23:45:00.000Z

Drawing Festival / May, 2023 / Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane / Photography: C Baxter, QAGOMA / View full image

When

8.45 – 9.45 am, Sat 4 Oct 2025

View Calendar

Where

Gallery of Modern Art, Gallery 1.1 (The Fairfax Gallery), Gallery 1.2 & Gallery 1.3 (Eric and Marion Taylor Gallery)

Accessibility

Wheelchair Accessible

What to Expect

Admission

Free

About

Be prepared to dance at the edge of convention and re-discover the child within, in the heart of the ‘Wonderstruck’ exhibition.

Join Dr Michael Garbutt to experience art as you’ve never experienced it before, through mindful looking and drawing techniques.

These 15-minute workshops will be repeated at 8.45am, 9.00am, 9.15am, 9.30am & 9.45am.

Audiences are encouraged to leave their phones and digital devices at the free cloak room before attending these workshops.

No experience required. Designed for all ages and skill levels.

Michael Garbutt / Image courtesy: Michael Garbutt / View full image

Dr Michael Garbutt

Michael Garbutt PhD teaches experience design at UNSW Sydney's School of Art & Design, where he is also a member of the Drawing Research Group. He has worked with major institutions including the Getty Center, the Smithsonian, the National Gallery of Australia, and has extensive experience in docent training. Author of several books and papers on museum experience, his most recent publication, Mindful Eye, Playful Eye: 101 Amazing Museum Activities for Discovery, Connection, and Insight (Smithsonian Books, 2024), presents innovative approaches to seeing and being in museums and galleries.

Ron Mueck / England b.1958 / In bed (installation view)2005 / Mixed media / 161.9 x 649.9 x 395cm / Purchased 2008.Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Ron Mueck — Ron Mueck / England b.1958 / *In bed* (installation view)2005 / Mixed media / 161.9 x 649.9 x 395cm / Purchased 2008.Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Ron Mueck / View full image

Phone Free Viewing

8.30 – 10.00am, Sat 4 Oct | Level 1, GOMA | Free

Free yourself from digital devices and immerse yourself in awe-inspiring artwork during this phone free viewing of the 'Wonderstruck' exhibition.

Yayoi Kusama / Japan b.1929 / The obliteration room (installation view) 2002–present / Furniture, white paint, dot stickers / Dimensions variable / Collaboration between Yayoi Kusama and Queensland Art Gallery. Commissioned Queensland Art Gallery. Gift of the artist through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation 2012 / Collection: QAGOMA, Brisbane / © Yayoi Kusama / Photograph: M Sherwood © QAGOMA — Yayoi Kusama / Japan b.1929 / *The obliteration room* (installation view) 2002–present / Furniture, white paint, dot stickers / Dimensions variable / Collaboration between Yayoi Kusama and Queensland Art Gallery. Commissioned Queensland Art Gallery. Gift of the artist through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation 2012 / Collection: QAGOMA, Brisbane / © Yayoi Kusama / Photograph: M Sherwood © QAGOMA / View full image

Art: Wonderstruck

‘Wonderstruck’ invites visitors on a journey from spectacular large-scale artworks to captivating small treasures and immersive experiences.

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 access 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
These workshops are designed for all ages. Kids and families are welcome to attend
As this event is part of the ‘Phone Free Viewing’, we encourage you to leave your digital devices in the cloak room. If you want to attend but keep your phone on you, please keep it in your pocket or bag on silent during the session
No experience or art knowledge is required. The session is appropriate for all ages and skill levels. You’ll be guided by our expert facilitator – who is there to support you
In this session, the facilitator will encourage some discussion within the small group. You can participate in discussion, ask questions, or just listen
You don’t need to bring anything. All materials will be provided
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

Portable stools will be provided. Please let a staff member know if you require a chair with a back
We try our best to minimise sound in the space but sometimes there might be low level noise from a nearby artwork or the sounds of the Gallery
The Gallery can get a little chilly as the temperature is set to 21 degrees for the preservation of the artwork, so bring a shawl or a light jacket
You may be invited to close your eyes at times. This is a choice and eyes can remain open. Your comfort is most important
No screens or projections will be used during the event
This event will be photographed by QAGOMA staff. If you do not wish to be photographed, please advise a QAGOMA staff member on arrival