The ‘7th Asia Pacific Triennial’ (APT7) occupies all of the Gallery of Modern Art and key spaces within the Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, and features the work of contemporary artists from around the Asia-Pacific and beyond. After some 20 years of producing the series, this exhibition asks artists to interpret the contents of the Gallery’s APT archives, and other archives from throughout the region, by way of reflecting on the two decades of art, society, politics and culture since the first APT was held in 1993.
Featuring new and recent work by 75 artists and artist groups from 27 countries across the region, the central theme of ‘APT7’ is to look at the relationships to place, bearing in mind the rapid urbanisation and flux of people, trade and influence within the region. The participating artists explore this idea through the construction of temporary structures; representing changing landscapes; and looking at how people interact with their homelands.
Japanese artist collective, Paramodel create dense, playful micro-worlds inspired by the industrial landscape of Osaka. They reorganise everyday materials – from children’s toys to plumbing materials – constructing complex landscapes that cover floors, walls and ceilings. Locally, Tiwi Island indigenous artist Timothy Cook paints the creation stories of his ancestors. Central to his paintings is the symbol of the moon-man Japara who created the laws by which the Tiwi people live their lives and have fostered their culture. His paintings are significant in that they continue the stories handed down over centuries and guide the clan through the evolution all societies and cultures face.
The exhibition series is a key component of the gallery’s ongoing program and over the years has built a significant collection of work. Now a major resource for curators and art historians, APT7 celebrates this fact by drawing on its 20-Year Archive. Artists have been invited to delve into the archives for a special project within the exhibition. The 20-Year Archive projects encompass a sound installation by Singaporean artist Heman Chong, drawing on the APT archive from QAGOMA’s Australian Centre of Asia Pacific Art.
The gallery has fostered a program of art and exhibitions designed specifically for children in recent years and the APT series have been significant contributors to this initiative. ‘Kids’ APT’, which was first staged with in 1999, invites leading international artists to help the gallery develop artworks and activities for children. This collaboration continues to result in genuinely meaningful ways for audiences to engage with and enhance their understanding of contemporary art. Featuring a range of drawings by children from across the region, including Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea, North Korea (DPRK), Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Australia, this archive will reflect the diverse yet shared experiences of children, and trace a history of the ‘Kids’ APT’.
Pulling together artists and work from a broad sweep of cultural, political and linguistic backgrounds, APT7 is an engaging and exciting visual experience that invites the viewers – and the artists who made the work – to reflect on their place within the world as it evolves. Technological and political shifts are key components of world evolution and these elements are incorporated into the artists’ practice and artworks. The exhibition aims to stimulate thought and reflection through not only traditional modes of viewing art but also presenting interactive work, new media pieces and a program of events with the artists and curators which prove that APT7 is a leading resource to understanding the Asia-Pacific region.
Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery of Modern Art
December 9, 2012 to April 14, 2013
Brisbane
Thai Tuan Nguyen, Black Painting No 80, 2009, oil on canvas, 130 x 110cm
Wedhar Riyad, Keributan Dari Negara Subur, 2011, oil on canvas, 250 x 180cm
