Brisbane Quarter, The City’s most stylish restaurant and retail precinct, marks the Year of the Snake with the striking new 静寂 (Seijaku): Serenity art installation by renowned local artist Elysha Rei on display from 24 January to 8 March 2025.
The 静寂 (Seijaku): Serenity installation celebrates the 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, which features 70 artists, collectives and projects from more than 30 countries and is on show at QAGOMA until 27 April 2025.
Heralding a year of prosperity with the zodiac motif for wisdom, charm and creativity, Elysha Rei’s 25m-long, hand-cut, paper Australian tree snake embodies the Wood Snake Lunar New Year.
Spiralling between levels down to Podium 1 of Brisbane Quarter, 300 George Street, the delicate 静寂 (Seijaku): Serenity artwork draws the eye to its intricate detail, inspiring tranquil contemplation and intention.
With its shimmering gold hue and largescale form, the paper cut snake captured in repose reflects transformation, inviting visitors to shed their skins and embrace the year ahead.
Created from a single sheet of paper, 静寂 (Seijaku): Serenity is Rei’s largest work to date and fittingly celebrates 20 years of practice and 10 years in Brisbane for the Japanese-Australian artist.
“’Seijaku’, a Japanese phrase meaning serenity or stillness, evokes the tranquil beauty of the snake at rest, embodying transformation in stillness, inviting the viewer to take a moment to contemplate the year ahead,” she said.
“Hand cut in gold-painted paper, the serpent’s form meanders towards the viewer, representing the renewal and transformation connected to the Lunar New Year horoscope of the snake.
“I hope this installation will invite viewers to embrace a moment of contemplation as they scale their eyes over the details of the serpent, thinking about the transformation of their year ahead.”
Complement your cultural experience and dine, stay and play at Brisbane Quarter. Extend the adventure with special dishes and beverages at select onsite restaurants on Podium 2 and an indulgent night at W Brisbane.
Celebrate Lunar New Year with Cantonese Chinese cuisine at Brisbane Phoenix, sample Japanese sushi and sashimi at Tenya, tempt your tastebuds with Phat Boy’s flavoursome Thai and savour stunning riverside views with a handcrafted cocktail and dessert at Persone.
Experience an immersive weekend of art and culture with an overnight or longer stay at W Brisbane, taking in the 静寂 (Seijaku): Serenity installation and 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art at QAGOMA and indulging in the luxurious onsite amenities and bold features at the 5-star hotel.
Enjoy a pampering poolside cabana day on the WET Deck, treat yourself to The City’s best afternoon tea at the Living Room Bar and be seated at The Lex for a classic New York City grill-meets-fresh Brisbane menu to dine for.
Set your intentions for the Lunar New Year by adding the auspicious 静寂 (Seijaku): Serenity installation to your calendar for a transformative experience to mark the Year of the Snake at Brisbane Quarter.
About Elysha Rei:
Elysha Rei is a Japanese-Australian artist based in Brisbane who explores narratives of cultural identity, history and environmental elements through papercutting and public art. She predominantly hand cuts her works out of single sheets of paper, creating site-specific installations and smaller paper cuts interwoven with references to archival records and historical narratives. She has a Bachelor of Visual Arts from USQ (2008) and is currently undertaking a PhD at QUT exploring how Nikkei Australian identity is archived through contemporary papercutting arts practice.
