The Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) in Brisbane presents ‘Fairy Tales’ a new and enchanting exhibition comprised of more than 100 works of art that re-tell the folk stories of your childhood through the imaginings of contemporary artists, designers, and filmmakers through artworks, costumes, immersive installations and cinema.
The show is on view from 2 December 2023 until 28 April 2024, making it a great experience to add to your summer calendar!
‘Fairy Tales’ can be enjoyed in the gallery format, as well as through the gallery’s new publication or taking in a film itself – there will be 40 free screenings at the Australian Cinémathèque, GOMA. The gallery says this curated collection of classics and contemporary re-tellings is an example of the power of film ‘speaking truth to power; challenging injustice and providing hope. This program highlights how filmmakers have innovated on older stories to resonate in different times and contexts.’
The artists included in ‘Fairy Tales’ are Abdul Abdullah, Del Kathryn Barton, Destiny Deacon, Gustave Doré, Rachel Feinstein, Trulee Hall, Carsten Höller, Anish Kapoor, Yayoi Kusama, Ron Mueck, Tracey Moffatt, Henrique Oliveira, Polixeni Papapetrou, Patricia Piccinini, Kiki Smith, Jana Sterbak and others.
There will also be a special selection of film costumes, props and original art such as original papercuts by Hans Christian Andersen, a nineteenth-century photograph by Lewis Carroll and a costume designed by Henri Matisse for the Ballets Russes adaptation of ‘The Nightingale’.
The exhibition explores the human condition with concepts such as bravery and justice, loyalty and humility, cunning and aspiration. It does so by presenting the nuanced works in dialogue under three main themes; ‘Into the Woods’, ‘Through the Looking Glass’ and ‘Ever After’.
‘Into the Woods’ is said to lead us to consider possibility, danger and the unknown, with the gallery hoping you might encounter and consider ideas such as power imbalance and injustice, gender and otherness, ageing, and resilience. ‘Through the Looking Glass’ displays the fantasy inherent in fairy tales and shares how artists create alluring parallel universes through augmented reality and unusual creatures. ‘Ever After’ is about, can you guess it? Love! This portion of the show features the hand made materials that express the sometimes ineffable, ‘love, and the myriad of ways this complex emotion plays out in the genre in families, friendships, companionship, and romantic love’ explains the gallery.
We hope you, your friends and family enjoy this special showcase. Plan your visit and buy tickets here.