QUEENSLAND.- Arts Minister Rod Welford today declared Picasso & his collection a major success with more than 200,000 visitors to the exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art ( GoMA ) during its run.

Mr Welford said the Picasso exhibition attracted an average of more than 2000 visitors daily during its three-and-a-half month season.

“This surpasses the hugely successful Andy Warhol exhibition that attracted a daily average of 1800 visitors,” Mr Welford said.

“More than half the exhibition patrons were visitors to Brisbane from regional Queensland, interstate and overseas.

“And on Saturday it had one of its largest crowds, with more than 3500 people rushing in to see the exhibition before it closed.

“People are coming here to see world-class exhibitions and will continue to do so with the Cultural Centre delivering more great attractions such as the Optimism show at GoMA and the Paris Opera Ballet at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.”

Mr Welford said the exhibition’s education and public program had been hugely popular.

“I congratulate GoMA for its determination to reach new audiences, with more than 16,500 Queensland students visiting Yo Picasso Kids and the Contemporary Media Lounge,” he said.

“The Up Late program was also a big hit, with the finale – a rare acoustic performance by acclaimed Brisbane artist Kate Miller-Heidke – a sell-out.

“Picasso also touched the regions, with a lecture tour that travelled to 25 centres across the state.”

Queensland Art Gallery Director Tony Ellwood said the Gallery was now looking forward to the next major exhibition, its landmark triennial Contemporary Australia series.

“Optimism, the first in this new triennial series, will be at GoMA from November 15 2008 to February 22 2009 and will feature works by more than 60 emerging, mid-career and senior Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists from every state and territory,” he said.

Picasso & his collection was organised by the musée national Picasso, Paris, in association with the Queensland Art Gallery and Art Exhibitions Australia. ‘Picasso & his collection’ was also made possible by Art Indemnity Australia, an Australian Government program through which the Commonwealth acts as insurer.