Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art

  • What's On
    • Exhibitions
    • Cinema
    • Events Calendar
    • Touring
  • Visit
    • Gallery Maps
    • Getting Here & Parking
    • Eat & Drink
    • Accessibility
    • Group Bookings, Tours & Experiences
  • QAGOMA Collection
    • Artists & Artworks
    • Asia Pacific Art Research
    • Conservation Research
    • Provenance
    • Image Reproductions
  • Kids & Families
  • Read, Watch, Play
  • Membership
  • Store
  • Support QAGOMA
    • Donate Now
    • QAGOMA Foundation
    • Partnerships
  • Learn
    • Education Resources
    • Library
    • Publishing
    • Scholarships
  • About
    • Key People
    • Asia Pacific Triennial
    • Reconciliation Action Plan
    • Sustainability
    • Media
  • Functions & Weddings
    • Corporate & Private Packages
    • Weddings
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Threads
  • X
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • WeChat
  • Spotify
  • LinkedIn
  1. What's On
  2. Exhibitions

Michael Parekowhai The World Turns

Michael Parekowhai, Ngāti Whakarongo, New Zealand b.1968 / The World Turns 2011-12 / Bronze / 488 x 456 x 293cm (approx.) / Commissioned 2011 to mark the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Gallery of Modern Art in 2006 and twenty years of The Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art. This project has received financial assistance from the Queensland Government through art+place Queensland Public Art Fund, and from the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Michael Parekowhai

Michael Parekowhai, Ngāti Whakarongo, New Zealand b.1968 / The World Turns 2011-12 / Bronze / 488 x 456 x 293cm (approx.) / Commissioned 2011 to mark the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Gallery of Modern Art in 2006 and twenty years of The Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art. This project has received financial assistance from the Queensland Government through art+place Queensland Public Art Fund, and from the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Michael Parekowhai / View full image

When

Permanent

Where

Gallery of Modern Art, GOMA Bistro Lawn

Admission

Free

About

In The World Turns 2011-12 Michael Parekowhai casts a small native water rat, the kuril, in the role of hero. Along with the traditional Aboriginal custodians, the kuril is one of the caretakers of the land upon which the Gallery and this sculpture stand. The kuril is intrinsically linked to the mangroves that weave around the Kurilpa Point shoreline, which feed it and provide it with shelter, and that these trees, with their strong tentacle-like roots, are the source of nourishment for a diverse ecology.

Here, the kuril is planted firmly on the ground, going about its business, even though it has shifted the world – represented by a large, upturned elephant – from its axis. The chair is an invitation to sit and contemplate this remarkable feat.

The World Turns reminds us that history is often recorded to highlight specific moments, but, as the world turns, there are many other stories – and these are central to our understanding of history.

This project received financial assistance from the Queensland Government through art+place Queensland Public Art Fund, and from the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation.

  • Michael Parekowhai, Ngāti Whakarongo, New Zealand b.1968 / The World Turns 2011-12 / Bronze / 488 x 456 x 293cm (approx.) / Commissioned 2011 to mark the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Gallery of Modern Art in 2006 and twenty years of The Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art. This project has received financial assistance from the Queensland Government through art+place Queensland Public Art Fund, and from the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Michael Parekowhai

    Michael Parekowhai, Ngāti Whakarongo, New Zealand b.1968 / The World Turns 2011-12 / Bronze / 488 x 456 x 293cm (approx.) / Commissioned 2011 to mark the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Gallery of Modern Art in 2006 and twenty years of The Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art. This project has received financial assistance from the Queensland Government through art+place Queensland Public Art Fund, and from the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Michael Parekowhai / View full image

  • Michael Parekowhai, Ngāti Whakarongo, New Zealand b.1968 / The World Turns 2011-12 / Bronze / 488 x 456 x 293cm (approx.) / Commissioned 2011 to mark the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Gallery of Modern Art in 2006 and twenty years of The Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art / This project has received financial assistance from the Queensland Government through art+place Queensland Public Art Fund, and from the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Michael Parekowhai

    Michael Parekowhai, Ngāti Whakarongo, New Zealand b.1968 / The World Turns 2011-12 / Bronze / 488 x 456 x 293cm (approx.) / Commissioned 2011 to mark the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Gallery of Modern Art in 2006 and twenty years of The Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art / This project has received financial assistance from the Queensland Government through art+place Queensland Public Art Fund, and from the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Michael Parekowhai / View full image

  • Michael Parekowhai, Ngāti Whakarongo, New Zealand b.1968 / The World Turns 2011-12 / Bronze / 488 x 456 x 293cm (approx.) / Commissioned 2011 to mark the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Gallery of Modern Art in 2006 and twenty years of The Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art / This project has received financial assistance from the Queensland Government through art+place Queensland Public Art Fund, and from the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Michael Parekowhai

    Michael Parekowhai, Ngāti Whakarongo, New Zealand b.1968 / The World Turns 2011-12 / Bronze / 488 x 456 x 293cm (approx.) / Commissioned 2011 to mark the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Gallery of Modern Art in 2006 and twenty years of The Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art / This project has received financial assistance from the Queensland Government through art+place Queensland Public Art Fund, and from the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Michael Parekowhai / View full image

  • Michael Parekowhai, Ngāti Whakarongo, New Zealand b.1968 / The World Turns 2011-12 / Bronze / 488 x 456 x 293cm (approx.) / Commissioned 2011 to mark the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Gallery of Modern Art in 2006 and twenty years of The Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art / This project has received financial assistance from the Queensland Government through art+place Queensland Public Art Fund, and from the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Michael Parekowhai

    Michael Parekowhai, Ngāti Whakarongo, New Zealand b.1968 / The World Turns 2011-12 / Bronze / 488 x 456 x 293cm (approx.) / Commissioned 2011 to mark the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Gallery of Modern Art in 2006 and twenty years of The Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art / This project has received financial assistance from the Queensland Government through art+place Queensland Public Art Fund, and from the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Michael Parekowhai / View full image

Events

See all Events

QAGOMA Stories

See all

Art, events and ideas in your inbox

Follow QAGOMA

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Threads
  • X
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • WeChat
  • Spotify
  • LinkedIn

Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art

Opening Hours

Daily: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm

Open from 12 noon Anzac Day
Closed Good Friday, Christmas Day & Boxing Day

Contact

  • Stanley Place, South Brisbane
    Queensland 4101, Australia
  • Getting to the Gallery
  • +61 (0)7 3840 7303
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs & Volunteers
  • Privacy
  • Copyright
  • Corporate Information
  • Sitemap
© Queensland Art Gallery Board of Trustees, 2025
Loading...
Suggestions
Exhibitions Visiting Parking Events Calendar Tours Eat & Drink Opening hours
Results
See all 0 Results