BRISBANE.- ‘The 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art’, featuring the work of 70 artists, collectives and projects from 30 countries, opened at the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) from tomorrow.

QAGOMA Director Chris Saines CNZM said the eleventh chapter in the Gallery’s flagship Asia Pacific Triennial series offered audiences an expansive, free art experience across both gallery buildings all through summer until 27 April 2025.

‘The Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art is a much-anticipated exhibition on the international and national arts calendar. Every three years it presents a snapshot of the most exciting and innovative developments in contemporary art from around our culturally diverse region,’ Mr Saines said.

‘The Triennial features 500 works of art, including many by artists not previously exhibited in Australia, as well as Asia Pacific Triennial Kids, seven artist projects that encourage younger audiences to explore their creativity through making and multimedia interactives, drawing and video. It also includes Asia Pacific Triennial Cinema, comprising curated surveys of filmmakers Tsai Ming-liang (Taiwan), Kamila Andini (Indonesia) and Ryusuke Hamaguchi (Japan), two thematic cinema programs, conversations and a live music and film event.

‘This weekend, Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December, we invite everyone to QAGOMA to celebrate the opening of ‘The 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art’ with a program of free onsite performances, artist talks, panel discussions, and drop-in art and music-making workshops.’

Highlights include:

• A performance of song, dance and stories that brings together two Solomon Islands collectives: KAWAKI and Dreamcast Theatre, within their immersive video installation Kuza Ni Tege.

• A live music performance by Etson Caminha (Timor-Leste) featuring the Vaihoho polyphonic singing technique unique to the Fatuluku people of Laspalos in Timor Leste.

• Art and music making workshops for all ages with Lê Thuý (Việt Nam), Rithika Merchant (India), Egn (Malaysia) and Etson Caminha (Timor-Leste).

• Ephemeral artworks: Total 2024 performed by Angela Goh (Australia) and Reimagining the Workplace 2024, by Okui Lala (Malaysia), Ana Estrada (Australia/Mexico) and Nasrikah (Malaysia).

• An Artist Lecture by Kawita Vatanajyankur and Pat Pataranutaporn (Thailand) about their collaborative performance work.

• ‘The sound of the flute is unity’ performed by Joydeb Roaja (Bangladesh), featuring the ‘plung’, a musical instrument of the Mro Indigenous people.

• Talks and panel discussions featuring international and local artists.

Mr Saines said the 11th Asia Pacific Triennial was developed by the Gallery’s team of specialist curators working with co-curators, advisors and interlocutors from across the region and in South-East Queensland communities.

‘The exhibition is built on QAGOMA’s four-decade-long engagement in Asia and the Pacific, and it highlights the work of First Nations, minority and diaspora cultures as well as the collective, performative and community-driven art practices that thrive in the region.

‘Layered with responses, questions and ideas about the present moment, the Triennial explores the many issues facing humanity and looks towards the future from a vast array of cultural perspectives. It includes recent and newly commissioned works that are rich with stories of journeys, migrations, environmental care and connections to place,’ Mr Saines said.

Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art is a firm fixture on the international exhibition calendar, renowned for presenting exceptional and diverse visual art.

‘More than four million visitors have attended the Triennials since the first in 1993, and the 11th Asia Pacific Triennial is set to continue this tradition as a major cultural tourism drawcard,’ Minister Langbroek said.

‘With its free program of works and engaging activities, the exhibition will ensure visitors of all ages can access some of the most exciting art from across the region.

‘The Queensland Government is proud to support QAGOMA’s 11th Asia Pacific Triennial – a flagship event which forges strong creative ties between artists from Australia, Asia and the Pacific and enhances Queensland’s reputation as a dynamic arts and cultural hub.’

Minister for Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation, Andrew Powell, says that the exhibition will be an unmissable celebration of contemporary art.

‘The Asia Pacific Triennial brings cutting-edge contemporary art to our doorstep and celebrates the rich cultures of the Asia Pacific region,’ Minister Powell said.

‘Events like this reinforce Queensland's commitment to supporting the arts and attracting cultural tourism. The Triennial's anticipated 350 000-plus attendees will generate more than $24 million for the state, highlighting the vital role of arts in our community and economy.

‘I encourage everyone to visit QAGOMA this summer to experience the wonder that is the Triennial. With free admission and an extraordinary program of works, performances and interactive events, there's something for everyone to enjoy.’