The Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) has announced its 2023 program including ‘Fairy Tales’, a blockbuster exhibition celebrating the timeless genre of storytelling in art, film, costume and design, and major solo exhibitions of work by contemporary Australian artists Michael Zavros and eX de Medici.

QAGOMA Director Chris Saines said the 2023 program also included Collection-focused exhibitions highlighting the Gallery’s Indigenous Australian Art holdings, an exploration of the dynamic exchange between Australian and Filipino artists from the 1990s to 2000s, and a focus on self-portraiture against the backdrop of today's selfie culture.

Cinema programs in 2023 include ‘City Symphony’, a 10-part series of films with live music accompaniment from experimental sound artists and post-rock bands, while QAGOMA’s Children’s Art Centre has developed programs for young audiences in collaboration with artists Gordon Hookey, Tony Albert, Vincent Namatjira, Kaylene Whiskey and Brian Robinson.

‘After this summer’s immersive exhibition ‘Air’ takes audiences on a journey through the invisible and vital life-giving element from 26 November 2022 until 23 April 2023, we are looking forward to presenting exhibitions by Michael Zavros and eX de Medici concurrently at GOMA from 24 June until 2 October 2023,’ Mr Saines said.

‘A single ticket will cover the two exhibitions: ‘Michael Zavros: The Favourite’ featuring more than 90 works of painting, sculpture, video, photography and performance by the Queensland artist, and the retrospective ‘eX de Medici: Beautiful Wickedness’, the most extensive exhibition to date of the Canberra-based artist's practice.'

Zavros’s celebration of beauty and exacting realism will be brought into sharp focus through his depictions of sumptuously detailed European architecture and interiors, luxury fashion and cars, elaborate still life arrangements and portraiture. Among the many highlights will be paintings from the early 2000s such as Man in wool suit and Grey pant, exploring ideas of masculinity, craftsmanship and identity, and portraits of the artist and his family, including V12/Narcissus 2009, Bad dad 2013, Madonna and child 2016 and Boy with lemon 2018.

The survey of de Medici’s forty-year career will explore the fragility of life, global affairs, and the universal themes of power, conflict and death. Comprising over 100 artworks, the exhibition will feature the artist’s intricate botanical studies and her dazzling large-scale watercolours, such as Red (Colony) 1999–2000 and The Wreckers 2019. Other highlights include her compelling portrait of Australian rock band Midnight Oil, Nothing’s as Precious as a Hole in the Ground 2001, and Shotgun Wedding Dress/Cleave 2015, a bridal gown based on Julie Andrews’s dress from The Sound of Music.

'Gone Fishing', at GOMA from 20 May 2023, will include exquisite fibre sculpture, paintings, prints and installation from the Gallery's Indigenous Australian Art collection reflecting on freshwater and saltwater fishing practices and the politics, law and custom of traditional sea rights.

From 2 September 2023 a survey exhibition of the evocative landscape and marine paintings of nineteenth-century artist Isaac Walter Jenner will be presented at QAG. Then, from 23 September 2023 ‘Living Patterns’, a major exhibition exploring contemporary abstraction and how it permeates facets of everyday life and the spiritual realm, will open at QAG with major new and recent works by artists including Paul Bai, Helen Johnson, Lindy Lee, Dhuwarrwarr Marika, Reko Rennie, Hossein Valamanesh, Jemima Wyman and many others.

The culmination of the 2023 program will be ‘Fairy Tales’, a blockbuster summer exhibition at GOMA from 2 December 2023 until 28 April 2024, which will delve into the ageless allure of iconic stories that have held a near universal fascination for centuries and continue to permeate art and contemporary culture.

Occupying the entire ground floor of GOMA, the exhibition will encompass painting, sculpture, installation, drawing, film, costume and design by leading international and Australian artists including Yayoi Kusama, Jana Sterbak, Kiki Smith, Patricia Piccinni, Abdul Abdullah, Ron Mueck and Charles Blackman. Highlights include a spectacular commission by Brazilian artist Henrique Oliveira that will transform the architecture of the gallery into a gnarled and twisted woodland.

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said QAGOMA's exhibition program is set to provide powerful and provocative storytelling that celebrates creativity and culture.

'QAGOMA’s 2023 program presents an inspiring array of exhibitions that celebrate our unique and outstanding First Nations and local stories, artists and art collections, together with those from around the world,' Minister Enoch said.

'From this summer’s exhibition 'Air', which explores the essential component of life through the work of more than 30 leading international and Australian contemporary artists, to the traditional yet terrifying world of 'Fairy Tales', visitors will be inspired and challenged.

'The Queensland Government has committed $26.8 million in blockbuster funding since 2016 to support QAGOMA to secure globally significant arts experiences for Queenslanders and visitors to the state, providing a vital boost to our economy, creating jobs, and advancing our cultural tourism.

'As one of the state’s celebrated cultural institutions, QAGOMA will play an important role in showcasing Queensland to the world, as we prepare for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,' Minister Enoch said.

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said QAGOMA exhibitions were significant contributors to Brisbane’s visitor economy.

'We know blockbuster QAGOMA exhibitions are also epic events for the city’s accommodation, hospitality and transport providers, and tourism operators,' Minister Hinchliffe said.

'These world-class, immersive experiences at QAGOMA are an important part of the great Queensland lifestyle that encourages Brisbane visitors to stay longer.

'The exhibitions 'Air' and 'Fairy Tales' are predicted to add $17 million to Brisbane’s visitor economy and support more good, secure local jobs.

'That’s why we’ve given QAGOMA’s art and culture experiences top billing on the State’s 2023 It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.'

In 2023, QAGOMA will also tour Collection-focussed exhibitions to regional centres across the state including ‘Asia Pacific Contemporary: Three Decades of APT’ and ‘Asia Pacific Video’. For more info visit www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/touring

'Air' and 'Fairy Tales' are supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland, featuring on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar, and Major Partners Shayher Group and Urban Art Projects. ‘Gone Fishing’ is supported by Major Partner, Gadens.

QAGOMA's 2023 Progam Includes:

‘Air’ (GOMA, 26 November 2022 – 23 April 2023) Tickets on sale now

‘North by North‑West’ (QAG, 11 February 2023 – 2 March 2025)

‘Lies, Magicians and Blind Faith’ (QAG, 4 March – 30 July 2023)

‘Looking Out, Looking In: Exploring the Self‑Portrait’ (QAG, 11 March – 6 August 2023)

‘Gone Fishing’ (GOMA, 20 May 2023 – 21 January 2024)

‘Michael Zavros: The Favourite’ (GOMA, 24 June – 2 October 2023)

‘eX de Medici: Beautiful Wickedness’ (GOMA, 24 June – 2 October 2023)

'Isaac Walter Jenner’ (QAG, 2 September 2023 – 28 January 2024)

‘Living Patterns: Abstraction’ (QAG, 23 September 2023 – 4 February 2024)

‘Fairy Tales’ (GOMA, 2 December 2023 – 28 April 2024) Tickets on sale mid‑2023.

Children's Art Centre, GOMA

'Superpowered’ (3 September 2022 – 16 July 2023)

‘Brian Robinson: Lag | Malu | Daparr (Land | Sea | Sky)’ (26 November 2022 – 23 April 2023)

Australian Cinémathèque, GOMA

‘Still Lives’ (9 October 2022 – 12 March 2023)

‘Melting into Air’ (26 November 2022 – 23 April 2023)

'City Symphony: A Live Music & Film Concert Series' (monthly, 4 February - 18 November 2023) Ticketed

‘Juliette Binoche’ (28 April – 18 June 2023) Ticketed

‘Contemporary Art X Cinema’ (23 June – 26 July 2023)

Touring Exhibitions

‘Asia Pacific Contemporary: Three Decades of APT’ (10 Dec 2021– 14 July 2024)

‘Asia Pacific Video’ (20 Oct 2021– 18 Aug 2024)