An extensive exhibition of works by Gerhard Richter, one of the world’s most highly regarded and influential artists, opens exclusively at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) from tomorrow until 4 February 2018.

Premier and Arts Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said the ‘Gerhard Richter: The Life of Images’ exhibition further cements GOMA’s excellent international reputation.

‘I’m thrilled an exhibition of this calibre has been developed and presented here in Queensland – it’s a first in Australia and further reinforces GOMA’s place as a leading contemporary art museum showcasing the best of global art on our doorstep,’ the Premier said.

Deputy Premier and Member for South Brisbane Jackie Trad, who today attended a special preview of the exhibition, said visitors to GOMA will treasure this once-in-a lifetime opportunity.

‘Excitingly, this exhibition was curated locally by Dr Rosemary Hawker, Senior Lecturer in Fine Art, Griffith University and Geraldine Kirrihi Barlow, Curatorial Manager, International Art, QAGOMA with input from Gerhard Richter himself,’ Ms Trad said.

‘GOMA has already had a blockbuster year with the record-breaking ‘Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe’ exhibition. I’m sure this world-exclusive exhibition will be just as warmly embraced by locals and visitors alike.

‘This is an incredible opportunity to see the first major exhibition of Gerhard Richter’s work in Australia, right here in my community of South Brisbane.’

Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) Director, Chris Saines said ‘Gerhard Richter: The Life of Images’ featured intimate family portraits, large-scale abstracts and tapestries, exquisite landscapes, a new and extensive overview of the artist’s life-long archival project Atlas, and the major four-part abstract series, Birkenau 2014.

‘In addition to key works from the artist’s personal collection, and pre-eminent public collections such as the Museum of Modern Art, New York; TATE, London; Los Angeles County Museum of Art; SFMOMA, San Francisco; and Staatliche Kunstsammlungen, Dresden, it features loans from numerous private collections in Europe and the USA,’ Mr Saines said.

‘The exhibition reveals the scope of Gerhard Richter’s extraordinary output across six decades and captures the breadth and technical virtuosity of a creative practice operating between the twin poles of realism and abstraction.

‘Audiences will see Richter’s responses to some of modern history’s pivotal events such as World War Two, the horror of the Holocaust and the creation of a divided post-war Germany, all of which coincided with the rapid ascendancy of the mechanically reproduced image.

‘Through the artworks we encounter Richter’s endless variation of technique and inventiveness as a painter.’

The opening weekend program includes a conversation between Dr Rosemary Hawker and Dr Dietmar Elger, Director, Gerhard Richter Archive, Dresden, discussing Elger’s role managing the archive of one of the world's most successful and influential living artists, from 10.30am on Saturday 14 October in Cinema A, GOMA.

From 12.00pm there will be a floor-talk inside the exhibition with Stefan Gronert, Curator of Photography and Media, Sprengel Museum, Hannover, Germany, and Geraldine Kirrihi Barlow.

Over the opening weekend, and throughout the exhibition, season visitors can also experience Estonian composer Arvo Pärt's Drei Hirtenkinder aus Fátima performed by the Canticum Chamber Choir within the gallery space.

The exhibition is supported by UAP, Griffith University, The Johnson Art Series Hotel and other corporate, cultural and Government partners.

‘Gerhard Richter: The Life of Images’ is supported by the Australian Government International Exhibitions Insurance (AGIEI) Program. Funding for insurance has also been provided through the Queensland Government Exhibition Indemnification Scheme, administered by Arts Queensland.

To access more information on the opening weekend program and tickets to ‘Gerhard Richter: The Life of Images’ visit www.qagoma.qld.gov.au