The perfect end to your week — GOMA Friday Nights
Olafur Eliasson, Denmark b.1967 / Presence 2025 / Stainless steel, aluminium, monofrequency lights, printed textile wedges, aluminium perforated sheets, mirror foil, glass mirror, wood / © 2025 Olafur Eliasson / Courtesy: The artist; neugerriemschneider, Berlin; and Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA / View full image
Access to the major immersive exhibition ‘Olafur Eliasson: Presence' every Friday night throughout May and June from 5.30pm to 8.30pm; together with captivating pop-up performances; an intimate vinyl listening bar: GOMA’s take on the global listening bar tradition; leading Brisbane DJs: records played the way they were meant to be heard, with a different selector taking you somewhere new every Friday Night; and Japanese-inspired cocktails and delicious snacks is the perfect after-work retreat.
The night comes alive with performances; by dancers from the local freestyle community, a tribute to Eliasson’s early passion for breakdancing; and live sound responding to the artworks of ‘Presence’ composed by award-winning percussionist Vanessa Tomlinson (watch videos).
GOMA Friday Nights is an invigorating end-of-week boost and the perfect place to connect after work, surrounded by mesmerising artworks, pop-up performances, and curated music. Visit for a full list of DJs, and weekly Vinyl Listening Bar themes.
Watch | Vanessa Tomlinson inspired by Olafur Eliasson’s ‘Presence’
Watch | Vanessa Tomlinson inspired by Olafur Eliasson’s ‘Riverbed’
Exclusive to Brisbane at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), ‘Presence’ displays major works by one of contemporary art’s pre-eminent figures. From large-scale works that play with light, colour and perception to a meticulously constructed riverbed — this exhibition comes to life as we move through it and experience each moment in succession.
By night, touch a shimmering dream-like rainbow emerging from the shadows in a curtain of mist in Beauty 1993 (illustrated), bask in the pervasive glow of the title work Presence 2026 (illustrated), a vast sun that seems to pulse with energy, and be entranced by the colourful SOS signal sent out into the darkness by Your lost lighthouse 2020.
Beauty 1993
Olafur Eliasson, Denmark b.1967 / Beauty 1993 / Spotlight, water, nozzles, hose, pump / Purchased 2025. The Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Charitable Trust / Collection: The Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Charitable Trust, Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © 1993 Olafur Eliasson / Photograph: J Ruckli © QAGOMA / View full image
Presence 2025
Olafur Eliasson, Denmark b.1967 / Presence 2025 / Stainless steel, aluminium, monofrequency lights, printed textile wedges, aluminium perforated sheets, mirror foil, glass mirror, wood / © 2025 Olafur Eliasson / Courtesy: The artist; neugerriemschneider, Berlin; and Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York / Photograph: C Baxter © QAGOMA / View full image
GOMA Friday Nights: Presence
Friday night's throughout May and June
5.30pm to 8.30pm.
Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)
Gallery 1.1 (The Fairfax Gallery), Gallery 1.2 & Gallery 1.3 (Eric and Marion Taylor Gallery)
Get tickets to GOMA Friday Nights
GOMA Friday Nights is an all-ages event. Visit for more information on GOMA Friday Nights, a full list of DJs, and weekly Vinyl Listening Bar themes.
Olafur Eliasson: Presence
6 December 2025 – 12 July 2026
Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)
Gallery 1.1 (The Fairfax Gallery), Gallery 1.2 & Gallery 1.3 (Eric and Marion Taylor Gallery)
Get tickets to Olafur Eliasson: Presence
Delve into the work of Olafur Eliasson — immersive installations that play with light, colour and perception.
‘Presence’ is accompanied by an expansive publication produced in collaboration with Olafur Eliasson and his studio, as well as a range of exhibition merchandise.
The exhibition is complemented by QAGOMA’s interactive mobile companion, which includes an exhibition guide with curatorial insights, images, and behind-the-scenes videos, and a sense trail that invites visitors to experience selected artworks through gentle sensory prompts. When you buy your ticket to 'Presence', you’ll immediately get access to enhance your visit, so bring your headphones.