Brisbane is the perfect spot for visitors interested in cultural activities, and particularly for art lovers. Conveniently for visitors, all of the city's major art galleries are located close to one another. Take our Art Museums Walk to see the most remarkable art museums in Brisbane.
1) The Tribal Gallery
The Tribal Gallery is an art museum dedicated to indigenous Australian art. It offers displays of artworks and artifacts that represent the indigenous culture of different local communities. Look out for the gallery's great gift shop when you visit.
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2) Gallery M
Gallery M exhibits the photographic art of Ben Mesina, who is thought to be Australia's finest landscape photographer. Each image by this talented and collectible artist has an emotional depth that has to be seen to be believed.
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3) Expressions of Australia
The "Expressions of Australia" Gallery is devoted to the artworks of Jim Chetcuti, an award winning landscape photographer. His works are inspired by his love of Australia's natural wonders. If you want to see breathtaking sights from all over Australia, don't leave Brisbane without visiting this gallery.
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4) Queensland Art Gallery
Brisbane is undergoing a true renaissance at the moment with more and more cultural activities garnering national and international attention. The Queensland Art Gallery is one of the frontrunners in providing Queenslanders and visitors with a range of art to see and enjoy. The gallery is located in the Queensland Performing Arts Complex, known locally as QPAC, just across the river from the CBD. The gallery was originally opened in 1895, but it shifted to its current location in 1982. In addition to its sizeable permanent collection, the gallery has a fine history of presenting impressive national and international visiting exhibitions.
The Queensland Art Gallery has always had the philosophy of connecting people through art and in this vein it has always had extensive indigenous art and children’s art programs and displays in place. The permanent collection features works by indigenous artists such as Albert Namatjira and Thanakupi. The Australian collection has works by Arthur Streeton and many other well known artists. There are also sizeable Asian and Pacific collections along with European works by Provost and Tintoretto. Combined with a visit to the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), right next door, the gallery is providing exciting and inspiring installations to artists and admirers of all ages.
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5) Queensland Gallery of Modern Art
The Queensland Gallery of Modern Art is one of the newest and most exciting galleries in Australia only opening in 2006. In only a few short years the gallery has created quite a splash offering wide reaching installations for art lovers of all ages. Indeed, it has become internationally recognized for its innovation and the range of art that is offered to school aged children. It is also home to Australia’s only purpose built cinematheque – a film archive devoted to showing old or art house film reels. There is a regular program of silent, retro, classics, anime and art house films shown at the gallery each day.
Well received temporary installations at the GOMA have included Warhol, Picasso and Matisse exhibitions and there is always something exciting on the program to see and experience. Located within the Queensland Performing Arts Complex (QPAC) at Southbank, just across from the CBD, it is easily accessible by road, train, bus or ferry. It is open 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm on weekends. Within the premises there is a store and an excellent restaurant and café to stimulate your gastronomical senses as well as your aesthetic sense.
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