International artist James Turrell’s major architectural light installation commissioned to illuminate the façade of Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), will launch from 7pm on Friday 20 April, 2018.
Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) Director Chris Saines today confirmed the eastern and southern façades of GOMA – one of Queensland and Australia’s most celebrated cultural and architectural landmarks, would be completely transformed from dusk until 12 midnight daily by the ambitious, much anticipated new light installation.
‘I invite all of QAGOMA’s local and visiting audiences to join us from 7.00pm on Friday 20 April, to experience first-hand James Turrell’s artwork – an ever-evolving pattern of intensifying and diffusing coloured light.
‘The activation of Turrell’s artwork onsite is a unique milestone in the history of the Gallery of Modern Art, the Queensland Cultural Centre and Brisbane, and it’s a time for us all to celebrate.
‘We are thrilled James will be joining us for this momentous occasion, a public celebration on the Maiwar Green lawn outside GOMA,’ Mr Saines said.
‘During the development of GOMA, lead architects Kerry Clare, Lindsay Clare and James Jones envisaged an artist-illuminated ‘white box’ on the Gallery’s main pedestrian approaches.
‘More than a decade on, Turrell’s architectural light installation realises the potential of GOMA’s white box façade, and completes a major aspect of the architects’ original design intention.
‘This work will truly transform the way local, interstate and international audiences experience the building at night.’
Queensland Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch said the Queensland Government was proud to support the exciting project.
‘The installation is a fantastic addition to GOMA and will further enhance Queensland’s reputation as a world-class cultural tourism destination,’ she said.
For more than half a century, James Turrell (United States, b.1943) has worked with light and space to create immersive and moving artworks that play with viewers’ perceptions.
Turrell’s large-scale luminous installation for GOMA is a first for the artist and unique in terms of the many other light works he has created in and on buildings and within the landscape around the world.
The Queensland Government has contributed funds towards the development of this ambitious commission and QAGOMA has also received an outstanding lead donation from Paul and Susan Taylor, along with generous contributions from The Neilson Foundation and donors to the 2017 QAGOMA Foundation Appeal to realise this iconic addition to Brisbane’s cityscape.
Click here to see an animated artist’s impression of James Turrell’s magnificent architectural light commission, and how it will transform the façade of GOMA.
For more information visit the QAGOMA website: www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/turrell
