Brisbane City Council’s Outdoor Gallery turns into a <play/ground> with its latest must-see exhibition launching today. Eleven Brisbane-connected artists are showcasing 37 breathtaking artworks in light boxes, banners, vitrines, and evening projections across iconic CBD locations, such as Howard Smith Wharves, Ann St and Fish Lane, to name a few.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said that the Outdoor Gallery program has been bringing Brisbane’s laneways and city streets to life with imaginative and curious artworks for 8 years, and is an important part of our city’s fabric. “Our Outdoor Gallery gives residents of all ages a unique and exciting chance to experience and engage with modern and contemporary art as they walk to work, visit the city to shop or as they enjoy dinner in our bustling restaurant precincts,” he said.
<play/ground> celebrates the city of Brisbane as our concrete playground, with the exhibiting artists revealing visual stories of their relationship with the city. Playing on the entitled word, the exhibition acknowledges the modern busy lives of each resident and nods to pursuing a balanced and playful life while remaining grounded as essential to finding and maintaining joy in our day-to-day physical and digital lives. Cr Schrinner said, “Through the exhibition, we can all consider our daily routines and what connects us to where we live. And given Brisbane’s sunny climate, it’s a perfectly timed moment to remember to get out and enjoy all there is to see and do in our own backyard.”
Modern and contemporary art is the direction of the exhibition, with Artists representing the voices of today. Brisbane-based photographer Kelsey Doyle is one of the eleven Artists in this group show, exhibiting in the King George Square Car Park with her work reflecting the ‘play’ side of the theme by capturing the leisurely delight of the natural landscape of Brisbane. “There is nothing I love more than living in a city surrounded by bodies of water and nature, from the Brisbane River, Enoggera Reservoir to the beaches north and south,” she said. Man&Wah, two established artists from Brisbane, will be displaying works responding to ‘ground’ – each image selected shows elements of the earth and the cosmos which represent something we are all naturally connected to – the cycles that support and continue to create life in Brisbane. “For example, an image of a bee is included because it is a crucial insect that pollinates much of the plant life on earth, especially the fruits and vegetables humans consume; sustaining and giving us health,” the artists elaborate.
@MCRT.Studio are artists themselves and have curated the exhibition to showcase emerging and established artists who they have seen thriving in the Brisbane art scene in their specialised fields. The selected artists are masters in their craft and come from varying backgrounds from mural art, illustrators, graphic designers, light sculptures and photographers. One example is innovative artist Emily Devers who has co-created her artwork Still Living Arrangements with artificial intelligence (AI). The curators said, “It’s important to celebrate and support emerging artists who are innovating and bring visual joy and culture to our city, gifting us a chance to view their work and learn their stories. The Outdoor Gallery is a great avenue that connects artists to the public, contributing to a thriving city.”
Cr Schrinner said, “With the weather warming up and kids on school holidays it’s a great and free activity to enjoy with the whole family. Make sure you check out the free kids programming across multiple venues including Museum of Brisbane, Howard Smith Wharves and Fish Lane.” Yes, thought-provoking art is not the only offer from the new Outdoor Gallery exhibition. Get amongst the masterclass-infused tours, all-ages art workshops and an official launch party at Howard Smith Wharves on Friday, 16 September, from 5:30 pm. Exhibiting artist Emily Devers will be DJing the launch event, sharing tunes under the stars and a large-scale live painting session performed by a local mural artist, Maxim Chikanchi.
For the Art trail search ‘Outdoor Gallery’s <play/ground>’ on the Brisbane App – find HERE
ARTWORK: #FLOWERS_V3.1 (2022), UNTITLED (PANORAMIC FALSEHOOD) (2022), #FLOWERS_V3.2 (2022), #FLOWERS_V3.3 (2022), UNTITLED (FABRICATE LANDSCAPE) (2022)
LOCATION: ANN STREET, BRISBANE CITY
