2013-14 Report

06 Queensland Art Gallery Board of Trustees Annual Report 2013–14

OVERVIEW

Professor Susan Street,

Chair, Queensland Art Gallery Board of Trustees

On behalf of the Board, it is my pleasure to present the

Queensland Art Gallery Board of Trustees Annual Report

2013–14

, which details how the Queensland Art Gallery |

Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) has contributed to positive

outcomes for Queensland. By fostering an innovative and

resilient cultural sector, creating a cultural and social hub,

and building on the state’s reputation as a cultural tourism

destination, the Gallery has enhanced access to and enjoyment

of the visual arts for the entire community.

QAGOMA attracted over 1.35 million visitors to its two venues

this year, with visitor surveys indicating a satisfaction rate

of more than 95 per cent with our exhibitions and programs.

Ticketed exhibition programs recorded a combined economic

impact to the Queensland economy of $20 million.

The Gallery’s major international exhibition had wide audience

and cultural tourism appeal. At GOMA, ‘Cai Guo-Qiang: Falling

Back to Earth’ was the first Australian solo exhibition by one

of the most renowned international artists working today.

Its remarkable attendance of 229 323 is the highest to date for

a ticketed exhibition by a living artist held in Australia, and the

Gallery’s second highest for a paid exhibition. Cai’s landmark

installation

Heritage

2013 was acquired with the assistance of

benefactor Win Schubert,

, and the QAGOMA Foundation, as

a lasting legacy for the Collection from this major exhibition.

Partnerships with leading international museums saw two

significant design exhibitions staged at QAG. ‘Quilts 1700–

1945’, an exclusive exhibition from the renowned Victoria and

Albert Museum in London, and ‘California Design 1930–1965:

Living in a Modern Way’, a survey of modern American west

coast design from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art,

attracted a combined attendance of over 100 000.

Collection building saw the acquisition of 465 works, bringing

the total number of works held by QAGOMA to 16 550.

Major Collection-based initiatives included ‘My Country, I Still

Call Australia Home: Contemporary Art from Black Australia’,

our largest ever exhibition of contemporary Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander art, which subsequently toured to

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki in New Zealand; and

‘Transparent: Watercolour in Queensland 1850s–1980s’,

a comprehensive survey of watercolour painting in the state.

More than 259 000 children aged 12 and under visited

QAGOMA during the year. The Gallery’s Children’s Art Centre

collaborated with artists Gordon Hookey, Cai Guo-Qiang and

Jemima Wyman to deliver inventive interactive artist projects

for young visitors and their families.

Programs presented by the Australian Cinémathèque,

exploring popular genres and lesser-known masterpieces

of film from around the world, attracted 24 365 visitors

to the GOMA cinemas.

Collection exhibitions ‘Ah Xian: Metaphysica’, ‘Lloyd Rees:

Life and Light’ and ‘Ever Present: Photographs from the

Queensland Art Gallery Collection 1850–1975’ toured to

regional venues across the state, as did two Children’s Art

Centre artist projects, Gordon Hookey’s ‘Kangaroo Crew

on Tour’ and ‘Kids on Tour: Cai Guo-Qiang’. These regional

programs attracted 69 233 visitors to 76 venues.

Meaningful avenues of experiential, educational and social

access led to new levels of engagement for audiences. From

the energetic debates of the GOMA Talks panel discussions

held in conjunction with ‘My Country’ to the tranquil

gongfu

tea

ceremonies hosted in association with ‘Cai Guo-Qiang: Falling

Back to Earth’, as well as artist talks, behind-the-scenes tours,

live music and cooking classes, events went beyond traditional

art museum experiences to prove that visual art

is not just relevant, but central to our lives.

The QAGOMA Foundation received some of its most significant

donations and gifts ever during 2013–14, strategically

strengthening the Collection in important areas and

contributing to programming and publishing objectives.

I acknowledge the Foundation Committee and members, and

the exceptional contributions of longstanding benefactors

Foundation President Tim Fairfax,

, his wife Gina Fairfax and

the Fairfax family, as well as James C Sourris,

, Philip Bacon,

, Cathryn Mittelheuser,

, Thomas Bradley,

, James

Mollison,

, and Dr Michael and Eva Slancar. I also

would like to specially acknowledge Win Schubert, who

we congratulate on her appointment as an Officer of the

Order of Australia and her recognition through the Queensland

Greats Awards program.

The Gallery and the wider arts community were deeply

saddened by the passing of long-term benefactors and friends

Henry Bartlett,

CMG

OBE

, and Margaret Mittelheuser,

, this

year. Henry and Margaret’s generosity and commitment to the

arts will not be forgotten.

The annual Foundation Appeal attracted a record number

of new contributors, enabling the Gallery to acquire a striking

portrait by Australian painter Ben Quilty.

Sergeant P, after

Afghanistan

2012 is a major addition to the Collection, and

particularly poignant as we recognise the contribution of those

serving in Australia’s armed forces in the lead up to the 100th

anniversary of World War One.

The Gallery’s commercial services continue to be an important

source of revenue, contributing substantially to the visitor

experience, with exhibition-themed restaurant and cafe menus

and an extensive range of books and other products on offer at

the QAGOMA Store.