Still Life Now

Michael Cook, Bidjara people, Australia b.1968 / Blackbird (from ‘Nature Morte’ series) (detail) 2021 Epson UltraChrome K3 inks on Hahnamuhle Photo Rag Bright White 310 gsm paper / Purchased 2021. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Michael Cook / View full image
When
24 Sep 2022 – 19 Feb 2023
Where
Gallery of Modern Art & Gallery 2.1
Admission
Free
About
‘Still Life Now’ considers the way artists today are drawing on the ideas of the still life tradition to create contemporary commentary on the nature of life and existence — including the memento mori (the stoic visual reminder of the inevitability of death) and the vanitas still life (the use of elaborate spreads to highlight the transience of life and excess).
By approaching the still life as a platform for transformative thinking and new conversations, the artists bring together themes of preservation, stillness, transformation and opulence across painting, sculpture and time-based media to engage with contemporary cultural and political issues and promote social change.
The exhibition is accompanied by a screening program at the Australian Cinémathèque, GOMA.
Marian Drew, Australia b.1960 / Possum with five birds (from ‘Australiana still life’ series) 2003 / Archival pigments on cotton paper / 75.4 x 92cm (comp.) / Gift of Dr Daryl Hewson through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation 2021. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Marian Drew
/ View full imageEmily Kame Kngwarreye, Anmatyerre people, Australia b.c.1910-96 / Yam dreaming 1995 / Synthetic polymer paint on canvas / 125 x 91.5cm / Purchased 1998. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation Grant / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Emily Kame Kngwarreye/Copyright Agency / View full image
Damien Hirst, United Kingdom b.1965 / For the love of God, laugh 2007 / Silkscreen print with glazes and diamond dust on paper / 100 x 75cm / Purchased 2008 with funds from the Estate of Lawrence F. King in memory of the late Mr and Mrs S.W. King through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Damien Hirst and Science Ltd. All Rights Reserved. DACS/Copyright Agency / View full image
Robert MacPherson, Australia 1937-2021 / "MAYFAIR: 4,4,JOE BIRCH" 1999 (detail) 1999 / Dulux Weathershield acrylic on Masonite / Four panels: 122 x 91.5cm (each) / Gift of Patrick Corrigan AM through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation 2016. Donated under the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Estate of Robert MacPherson. / View full image
QAGOMA Blog
QAGOMA Blog
Production still from 24 Frames 2017 / Director: Abbas Kiarostami / Image courtesy: CG Cinéma / View full image
Still Lives film program
Accompanying the 'Still Life Now' exhibition ‘Still Lives’ explores themes relating to life, death, and transformation.
Find out more