The world would be a messed up place without art — Exploring Olafur Eliasson's 'Presence'
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: K Bennett © QAGOMA / View full image
QAGOMA has created the podcast series ‘Exploring Presence’ especially for the exhibition 'Olafur Eliasson: Presence' currently at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) until 12 July 2026. Listen to Geraldine Kirrihi Barlow, Head of International Art and curator of the exhibition as she talks with different members of the team at Studio Olafur Eliasson, as well as the artist himself.
Geraldine Kirrihi Barlow was fortunate to be a guest of the studio in Berlin, Germany, where most of these podcasts were recorded. The conversations reflect on the development of the ideas and artworks which feature in the exhibition.
'Exploring Presence" Podcast series / View full image
Episode 1
Anna Engberg-Pedersen
Listen to EP1 — 'Exploring Presence' (59 mins) now on Spotify
In this insightful conversation with Anna Engberg-Pedersen, Head of Research and Advocacy at Studio Olafur Eliasson, for 'Exploring Presence' episode 1, we unpack over two decades of creative collaboration with Eliasson.
We dive into how the psychotherapy model Internal Family Systems (IFS) informs the studio’s unique approach; where self-inquiry meets creativity and individual perspectives shape powerful collective practice.
Discover how art, reflection, and collaboration intertwine in unexpected ways.
Olafur Eliasson and Anna Engberg-Pedersen, Iceland 2024 / Photograph & ©: Yanina Isla / View full image
Drawings by Olafur Eliasson / © The artist / View full image
Episode 2
Olafur Eliasson
Listen to EP2 — 'Exploring Presence' (34 mins) now on Spotify
What does it mean to hold space for light?
In 'Exploring Presence' episode 2, recorded in Brisbane just before the opening of 'Olafur Eliasson: Presence', this conversation with Olafur Eliasson captures a moment suspended between anticipation and arrival.
Listen as we trace the ideas, questions and energies that travelled between Berlin and Brisbane throughout the making of this extraordinary exhibition.
From Iceland and ‘unthought thoughts’ to light, vulnerability and presence, this episode explores what it means to feel deeply — and to create space for possibility.
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: N Umek © QAGOMA / View full image
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
Episode 3
Biljana Joksimović-Große
Listen to EP3 — 'Exploring Presence' (21 mins) now on Spotify
‘Everything comes to the archive’
'Exploring Presence' episode 3 offers a quiet and intimate window into the inner workings of Studio Olafur Eliasson.
Recorded softly at her desk so as not to disturb those nearby, this impromptu conversation with Biljana Joksimović-Große — who has worked in the studio archive since 2004 — traces the living memory held within images, drawings, systems and records accumulated over decades of practice.
Together they reflect on the evolution of the archive, how photographs were selected for the exhibition and look at the concept drawings behind new works created for Brisbane, including the exhibition’s title work ‘Presence’.
(l-r) Drawing by Olafur Eliasson / Olafur Eliasson, Denmark b.1967 / Your negotiable vulnerability seen from two perspectives 2025 / Polarisation filters, steel, wood, LEDs, motors, electrical ballast, polyhedron (PVC, resin, motor, control unit) / © 2025 Olafur Eliasson / Courtesy: The artist; neugerriemschneider, Berlin; and Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York / View full image
(l-r) Drawing by Olafur Eliasson / Olafur Eliasson, Denmark b.1967 / Your truths 2025 / Polarisation filters, PET, PVC, BOPP foil, fans, metal, control units / © 2025 Olafur Eliasson / Courtesy: The artist; neugerriemschneider, Berlin; and Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York / View full image
Episode 4
Annabelle Hosie
Listen to EP4 — 'Exploring Presence' (57 mins) now on Spotify
What can a cabinet of objects reveal about an artist’s practice?
We begin 'Exploring Presence' episode 4 in Olafur Eliasson’s office. Annabelle Hosie, from the Exhibitions team at Studio Olafur Eliasson, guides us through the spaces where ideas, experiments and artworks take shape.
Discussing the objects, production samples and artworks featured in GOMA’s Foyer Cabinet offers us a glimpse into Eliasson’s thinking and collaborative processes that underpin the studio’s work.
From their home at Studio Olafur Eliasson to GOMA's Foyer Cabinet, we uncover the origins and ideas behind these fascinating objects.
(l-r) Objects on display in Olafur Eliasson’s office; Photograph: Agoston Horanyi / ‘Olafur Eliasson: Presence’ foyer cabinet; Photograph: N Umek © QAGOMA / View full image
Objects on display in Olafur Eliasson’s office; Photograph: Agoston Horanyi / View full image
Episode 5
Caroline Eggel
Coming Soon — 'Exploring Presence' (32 mins)
‘We ask questions — this is our motor.’
In 'Exploring Presence' episode 5, we sit down with Caroline Eggel, Head of Exhibitions, at Studio Olafur Eliasson for a conversation about art, collaboration and curiosity.
Having worked with Eliasson for more than two decades, Eggel reflects on the growth of the studio and the spirit that guides its practice.
From early works such as ‘Beauty’ to brand new installations created for GOMA including the title work of our exhibition ‘Presence’, Eggel shares insights into the artworks, ideas and people that shape the studio.
(l-r) At Studio Olafur Eliasson, 2019; Photograph: Zan Wimberley / At Studio Olafur Eliasson, mock-up of Your unpredictable path 2016; Photograph: María del Pilar García Ayensa / © Studio Olafur Eliasson / View full image
(l-r) At Studio Olafur Eliasson, Stardust particle 2014: Photograph: Runa Maya Mørk Huber / At Studio Olafur Eliasson, 3D scanning a block of ice harvested for Ice Watch 2015; Photograph: Runa Maya Mørk Huber / © Studio Olafur Eliasson / View full image
Delve into the work of Olafur Eliasson — immersive installations that play with light, colour and perception.
Olafur Eliasson: Presence
Until 12 July 2026
Daily: 10.00am – 5.00pm
Buy tickets in advance to guarantee entry. Tickets are also available at the exhibition entry unless sold out. Last session 4.00pm daily. Exhibition closes at 5.00pm.
Get tickets to 'Olafur Eliasson: Presence’
Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)
Gallery 1.1 (The Fairfax Gallery), Gallery 1.2 & Gallery 1.3 (Eric and Marion Taylor Gallery)
Brisbane, Australia