Wonderstruck

Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, Iran 1924-2019 / Lightning for Neda 2009, Installation view 2019 QAG / The artist dedicates this work to the loving memory of her late husband Dr Abolbashar Farmanfarmaian. Purchased 2009. QAG Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Monir Shaharoudy Farmanfarmaian Estate / View full image

When

28 Jun – 6 Oct 2025

Where

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

Admission

Free

About

'Wonderstruck' explores the wonder that can be found in the ordinary and the extraordinary. Presented throughout the ground floor of the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), the exhibition invites visitors on a journey from spectacular large-scale artworks to captivating small treasures and immersive experiences.

Featuring more than 100 artworks and interactive projects by over 70 international and Australian artists drawn from the Gallery’s Collection, the exhibition will include audience favourites Nick Cave’s Heard 2012, Ron Mueck’s In bed 2005 and Yayoi Kusama’s The Obliteration Room 2002-present.

Learn more about the captivating artworks on display in our weekly highlights, or dive into the Wonderstruck Wonderers interactive experience — complete six fun activities to earn your free Wonderstruck Wonderers pin badge from the GOMA Store!

Takashi Murakami, Japan b.1962 / And then, and then and then and then and then 1994 / Synthetic polymer paint on canvas / Diptych:280 x 150 x 7.5cm (each); 280 x 300 x 7.5cm (overall) / Purchased 1996. QAG Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Takashi Murakami / View full image
Yayoi Kusama, Japan b.1929 / The obliteration room 2002-present / Furniture, white paint, dot stickers / Collaboration between Yayoi Kusama and Queensland Art Gallery. Commissioned Queensland Art Gallery. Gift of the artist through the QAG Foundation 2012 / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Yayoi Kusama / View full image
Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, Iran 1924-2019 / Lightning for Neda 2009 / Mirror mosaic, reverse-glass painting, plaster on wood / Six panels: 300 x 200 x 25cm (each); 300 x 1200 x 25cm (overall) / The artist dedicates this work to the loving memory of her late husband Dr Abolbashar Farmanfarmaian. Purchased 2009. QAG Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian Estate / Photograph: N Harth © QAGOMA / View full image
Nick Cave, United States b.1959 / Heard (detail) 2012 / 15 wearable sculptures (six parts each) / Purchased 2016 to mark the tenth anniversary of the Gallery of Modern Art with funds from the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Diversity Foundation through the QAGOMA Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Nick Cave / Photograph: James Prinz / Courtesy: Nick Cave and Jack Shainman Gallery / View full image
Nick Cave, United States b.1959 / Heard (detail) 2012 / 15 wearable sculptures (six parts each) / Purchased 2016 to mark the tenth anniversary of GOMA with funds from the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Diversity Foundation through the QAGOMA Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Nick Cave / Photograph: James Prinz / Courtesy: Nick Cave and Jack Shainman Gallery / View full image
Ron Mueck, England b.1958 / In bed 2005 / Mixed media / 161.9 x 649.9 x 395cm / Purchased 2008.QAG Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Ron Mueck / View full image
Michael ParekŌwhai, Ngati WhakarongoNgariki Rotoawe, New Zealand b.1968 / The Horn of Africa 2006 / Wood, fibreglass, steel, brass, automotive paint / 395 x 200 x 260cm / Purchased 2008 with funds from the Queensland Government's Gallery of Modern Art Acquisitions Fund in recognition of the contribution to the Gallery by Wayne Goss (Chair of Trustees 1999-2008) / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Michael Parekowhai / View full image
Patricia Piccinini, Australia b.1965 / The Observer 2010 / Silicone, fibreglass, steel, human hair, clothing, chairs / 220 x 140 x 48cm / Purchased 2018. QAGOMA Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Patricia Piccinini / View full image

Events

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Become a Wonderstruck Wonderer

Complete six short activities and claim your free Wonderstruck Wonderers pin badge from GOMA Store!

Play now

QAGOMA Radio: Wonderstruck

'Wonderstruck' artist Gordon Hookey (Waanyi people) has curated his favourite love songs for QAGOMA Radio

Listen Now

Yuken Teruya, Japan b.1973 / Notice - Forest (detail) 2006 / Paper and glue / a: 12.5 x 25 x 34cm (without handles); 12.5 x 25 x 60cm (with handles); b: 10.2 x 21.8 x 29.5cm (without handles); 10.2 x 21.8 x 35.5cm (with handles); c: 12 x 23.9 x 35cm (without handles); 12 x 23.9 x 45cm (with handles); d: 12 x 20 x 26.2cm (without handles); 12 x 20 x 37.3cm (with handles); e: 12.3 x 25.3 x 33cm (without handles); 12.3 x 25.3 x 42cm (with handles) / Purchased 2007. The Queensland Government's GOMA Acquisitions Fund / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Yuken Teruya — Yuken Teruya, Japan b.1973 / *Notice - Forest* (detail) 2006 / Paper and glue / a: 12.5 x 25 x 34cm (without handles); 12.5 x 25 x 60cm (with handles); b: 10.2 x 21.8 x 29.5cm (without handles); 10.2 x 21.8 x 35.5cm (with handles); c: 12 x 23.9 x 35cm (without handles); 12 x 23.9 x 45cm (with handles); d: 12 x 20 x 26.2cm (without handles); 12 x 20 x 37.3cm (with handles); e: 12.3 x 25.3 x 33cm (without handles); 12.3 x 25.3 x 42cm (with handles) / Purchased 2007. The Queensland Government's GOMA Acquisitions Fund / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Yuken Teruya / View full image

Wonderstruck Education resource

The QAGOMA Learning team has developed a series of three curriculum-aligned resources to support meaningful engagement with 'Wonderstruck', each focused on a key theme: colour, materiality, and pattern and repetition.

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