Queensland Art Gallery facts for kids
  From top: Queensland Art Gallery riverside façade in South Bank, Entrance atrium and Watermall
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| Established | 1895 |
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| Location | Stanley Place, South Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Type | Art museum |
| Visitors | 572,762 (2016) |
| Public transit access | Bus: Cultural Centre station Train: South Brisbane station |
The Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) is a cool place in South Bank, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It's an art museum where you can see amazing artworks. QAG is part of a bigger art family called QAGOMA. It works together with the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), which is just a short walk away (about 150 meters!). The Queensland Government owns and runs QAG. They first opened it way back in 1895 as the Queensland National Art Gallery.
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History of the Gallery
The gallery first opened in 1895. It was called the Queensland National Art Gallery back then. For many years, the gallery moved around to different temporary spots. In the 1960s, it even shared a building with the Queensland Museum.
A businessman and art collector named Sir Leon Trout had a great idea. He wanted to build a special art gallery as part of a new Queensland Cultural Centre. This new centre would be in South Brisbane. The first part of this huge centre opened in 1982. It was designed by Robin Gibson.
In 2006, the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) was built. This made QAG and GOMA into one big art institution with two locations. By 2014, more than 10 million people had visited both galleries! In 2015, the Queensland Art Gallery was recognized as a special heritage place in the state.
The very first painting the gallery bought was in 1896. It was called Evicted by a British painter named Blandford Fletcher. People loved this painting a lot. But in 1949, the new director, Robert Campbell, decided to stop showing it. He said it was only popular because it made people feel sad.
Gallery Design
The Queensland Art Gallery was built using the best ideas and materials of its time. It was the first big building constructed on the south side of the river, near the new Victoria Bridge. It set a high standard for future buildings in the area.
The gallery has a huge display area of 4700 square meters. It uses walls and barriers that can be changed. This helps create a smooth journey for visitors as they explore the art. The main part of the gallery's design is the Watermall. This water feature separates the quiet exhibition areas from the busy administration and public program areas.
Different ceiling heights and floor levels make the display areas interesting. The entrance area is a central spot where all visitors arrive and can choose which parts of the gallery they want to see. The building uses light-colored materials that are easy to keep clean. These materials also help the building stay cool in Brisbane's warm climate.
In 2004, the Queensland Art Gallery won a special award. It was called the '25 Year Award' and is now known as the Robin Gibson Award for Enduring Architecture. This award is given by the Queensland Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects.
Art Collection
The gallery has many important artworks in its collection. Some of the most popular ones include:
- La Belle Hollandaise (1905) by Pablo Picasso
- Under the Jacaranda (1903) by Richard Godfrey Rivers
Indigenous Art
The gallery is dedicated to showing Indigenous Australian art. It also works to build strong connections with Queensland's Indigenous communities.
Exhibitions and Programs
The gallery often hosts special exhibitions. Here are some past ones:
- California Design 1930–1965: Living in a Modern World (November 2, 2013 – February 9, 2014)
- Quilts 1700–1945 (June 15 – September 22, 2013)
- Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado (July 21 – November 4, 2012)
- Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones (March 27 – June 27, 2010)
- American Impressionism and Realism: A Landmark Exhibition from the Met (May 30 – September 20, 2009)
Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art
The gallery's biggest project is the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT). This is a major art event that happens every three years. It brings together amazing art from across Asia and the Pacific. The gallery started APT in 1993.
Because of the success of APT, the Australian Centre of Asia Pacific Art (ACAPA) was created. ACAPA helps with research, publishing, and building a great collection of art from the Asia Pacific region. The 7th Triennial featured a giant snake skeleton sculpture called Ressort. It was made by Huang Yong Ping and was displayed in the gallery's Watermall. The Queensland Art Gallery bought this artwork in 2012.
Art for Children
The gallery is also known for its awesome learning programs for kids. These programs are run through the Children's Art Centre. The gallery wants to help young people discover and enjoy visual art.
Some past programs for kids include:
- Now is the Time (May 2, 2020 – January 26, 2021)
- Below the Tide Line (December 7, 2019 – May 3, 2020)
- Island Fashion (August 10, 2019 – March 15, 2020)
- APT9 Kids (April 29 – June 16, 2019)
- Ben Quilty: Family Portrait (June 15 – October 20, 2019)
- Patricia Piccinini: Curious Creatures (March 24 – August 5, 2018)
- Tony Albert: We can be Heroes (May 19 – October 7, 2018)
Art for Regional Queensland
To make sure everyone in Queensland can see the art, the gallery sends travelling exhibitions. These shows visit towns and remote areas all over the state.
How the Gallery is Run
The Queensland Government appoints a group of people called a board of trustees. This board is in charge of the gallery. An Executive Management Team helps manage the day-to-day operations. The current director is Chris Saines.
Opening Hours
The gallery is open every day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday. On ANZAC Day, it opens later, at 12:00 PM.
Images for kids
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Leonard and Kathleen Shillam's Pelican sculptures at the Queensland Art Gallery
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Watermall fountains at the Queensland Art Gallery
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Queensland Art Gallery watermall
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Café at the Queensland Art Gallery
