Transitions

Jackie Kurltjunyintja Giles, Pintubi/Ngaanyatjarra people, Australia 1937–2010 / Valiant 2007 / Synthetic polymer paint on metal / 152 x 142 x 10cm / Purchased 2008. The Queensland Government’s Gallery of Modern Art Acquisitions Fund / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Jackie Kurltjunyintja Giles. / View full image
When
6 Aug 2022 – 25 Jun 2023
Where
Gallery of Modern Art, Gallery 3.2 & Gallery 3.5
Admission
Free
About
‘Transitions Now: Contemporary Aboriginal Forms and Images from the Collection’ (6 August 2022 – 25 June 2023) and ‘Transitions: Historic and Contemporary Barks from the Collection 1948–2021’ (20 August 2022 – 10 April 2023) are dovetailing chapters of an exhibition that offers a unique experience of innovative contemporary Aboriginal art alongside eight decades of Australian Aboriginal bark painting.
Transitions Now: Contemporary Aboriginal Forms and Images
Innovative textured and sculpted works illustrate Aboriginal Australian artists’ ongoing commitment to declaring their identity and vital presence in contemporary society, demonstrating the immeasurable contribution Aboriginal artists continue to make to Australia’s visual arts culture. Although often still inspired and nourished by ancient traditions and histories, today’s responses are often entirely contemporary – expressed in fresh choices of narratives, materials and techniques.
Transitions: Historic and Contemporary Barks 1948–2021
Works painted in crushed earth pigments on sheets of eucalyptus bark and on wooden sculptures depict poetic creation narratives of artists across Australia’s northern coastline, from the Kimberley in Western Australia to far eastern Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. Groupings reflect artists’ clan and Country affiliations, mapping the northern Australian landscape and highlighting the extraordinary cultural and linguistic diversity of its peoples. Although the same natural materials are still in use, bark painting has undergone a radical transformation as artists introduce new ways of expression, materials and techniques.
Reconciliation Action Plan
QAGOMA has launched its inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to guide its contributions to reconciliation. View the 2022–24 RAP.
Shirley Macnamara, Artist, Indjalandji Dhidhanu/Alyawarr people, Australia 1949; Nathaniel Macnamara, Assistant, Indjalandji Dhidhanu/Alyawarr people, Australia b.2004 / Cu 2016 / Hand coiled copper wire and raw copper / 22 x 25 x 25cm / Purchased 2017 with funds from Gina Fairfax through the Queensland Art Gallery I Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Shirley Macnamara / View full image
Margaret Rarru Garrawurra, Liyagawumirr people, Australia b.1940 / Mindirr 2012 / Pandanus palm with natural dyes / Purchased 2012 with funds from an anonymous donor through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Margaret Rarru/Copyright Agency / View full image
Jonathan Jones, Kamilaroi/Wiradjuri people, Australia b.1978 / lumination fall wall weave 2006 / Electrical cable, light fittings, bulbs on painted medium density fibreboard / 363 x 720 x 25cm (installed) / Acc. 2006.070 / The Xstrata Coal Emerging Indigenous Art Award 2006 (winning entry). Purchased 2006 with funds from Xstrata Coal through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Jonathan Jones / View full image
Jonathan Jones, Kamilaroi/Wiradjuri people, Australia b.1978 / untitled (domestic heads or tails) 2009 / Fluorescent tubes with fittings, electrical cords and cable ties / Pair: 62 x 34cm (diam.) (each) / Gift of Patrick Corrigan AM through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation 2011. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Jonathan Jones / View full image
Jackie Kurltjunyintja Giles, Pintubi/Ngaanyatjarra people, Australia 1937–2010 / Valiant 2007 / Synthetic polymer paint on metal / 152 x 142 x 10cm / Purchased 2008. The Queensland Government’s Gallery of Modern Art Acquisitions Fund / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Jackie Kurltjunyintja Giles / View full image

Samuel Ganarradj Mandggudja, Kunwinjku people, Australia c.1909–83 / Rainbow Serpent (detail) unknown / Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark / 34.9 x 47cm / Gift of Robert Bleakley through the QAGOMA Foundation 2020. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Estate of Samuel Ganarradj Manggudja/Licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency / View full image
Transitions online
Discover more about ‘Transitions’ via the digital catalogue on Collection Online. Explore free essays, exhibition object lists and more behind-the-scenes features of this exhibition.
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