Annual Review 2016

In April, QAGOMA called for expressions of interest from Queensland artists of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background to create a major public artwork for the entrance of GOMA. After considering strong submissions from across the state, the selection panel unanimously chose Waanyi artist Judy Watson’s proposal for a bronze sculpture inspired by the traditional woven fishing nets of south-east Queensland’s Aboriginal communities. With reference to historical nets held by the Queensland Museum and visual documentation in the State Library of Queensland’s archives, Watson worked closely with Quandamooka weaver Leecee Carmichael to create the massive net from which the sculpture was cast. The final result was revealed as part of GOMA’s tenth anniversary celebrations and is a permanent powerful reminder of the indelible Aboriginal presence at Kurilpa. This project was realised with generous support from the Queensland Government, the Neilson Foundation, and Cathryn Mittelheuser, am , through the QAGOMA Foundation. JUDY WATSON TOW ROW 2016 'THE WOVEN NETS ALLOW LIGHT AND AIR TO PASS THROUGH THEM AND CREATE BEAUTIFUL SHADOWS ACROSS THE SURFACE OF THE GROUND. THE FRAGILITY OF THE OBJECTS CLOAKS THEIR HIDDEN STRENGTH, A METAPHOR FOR THE RESILIENCE OF ABORIGINAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE HELD ONTO THE IMPORTANCE OF LAND, CULTURE AND FAMILY THROUGH ADVERSITY AND DEPRIVATION.' Judy Watson CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT Judy Watson with tow row 2016 / Photograph: Mark Sherwood Queensland Indigenous Artist Public Art Commission project leader Simon Wright; selection panel members Michael Aird, Kevin O’Neill and Chris Saines; Premier the Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk, MP , artist Judy Watson and weaver Leecee Carmichael; and selection panel members Avril Quaill and Bruce McLean / Photograph: Mark Sherwood Weaving the net / Photograph: Chloë Callistemon The Yulu Burri Ba dancers perform at the launch of tow row / Photograph: Mark Sherwood PAGE 40 A performance of Nick Cave’s HEARD•Brisbane 2016 during the GOMA Turns 10 opening weekend celebrations / December 2016 / Photograph: Chloë Callistemon 42 ▼  REVIEW 2016 REVIEW 2016 ▼ 43 GOMA TURNS 10 GOMA TURNS 10