Australia’s biggest modern art gallery showcases contemporary works from Brisbane and beyond.
The Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) opened its doors in 2006 as part of the Queensland Art Gallery and quickly established itself as one of the leading institutions of modern-day art in the Asia Pacific region. It showcases contemporary local and international art pieces with special emphasis placed on the work of indigenous artists from Australia and the whole region. With 4,700 square metres of display space, the gallery houses a huge collection of artworks within its impressive walls, and it also offers exhibits aimed especially at children, making it a fun and illuminating day out for all the family.Visitors will immediately appreciate the scale of this institution as they enter the huge main hall which usually holds large-scale sculptures and interactive exhibitions. Admission is free but you generally have to pay to enter the special exhibitions held regularly – check out the website for details before you visit. The gallery itself is divided into a number of sections based on the origin of the artists.The collection of contemporary Aboriginal art offers an insight into the culture of Australia’s indigenous people and contains bark paintings and woven fibres. The Australian section displays a large array of paintings, ceramics and drawings as well as video installations and post-conceptual sculptures which explore the ideas of Australian identity and the nature of art.The art of the different cultures of the Pacific region includes Polynesian textiles and The Horn of Africa, a remarkable sculpture by New Zealander Michael Parekowhai. Many of the works in the Asian collection open a dialogue between traditional philosophies and modern-day globalisation and migration issues, while you’ll find photography and artworks from the Western world and Middle East in the international galleries.GoMA is within the Cultural Centre in the South Bank area of the city, a short walk from the city centre. It’s best to avoid driving there as parking is expensive and can be scarce – public transport is the easier and cheaper option.
