When it comes to art in Brisbane, there’s always something to set your gaze on. Art exhibitions regularly pop up around the city, as do otherworldly installations that make us think and feel.
We’ve rounded up some of the best art exhibitions and installations in Brisbane and beyond for you to add to your cultural calendar.
1. The Art of Banksy: “Without Limits”
Banksy’s artworks have journeyed from the alleyways of England to some of the biggest art museums in the world. His subject matter is often antiauthoritarian, and his simple but powerful imagery has turned the art world on its head on multiple occasions. Now, residents of Brisbane can attend this museum-quality display, and make up their own minds about the elusive artist.
For this limited-time exhibition, artworks have been sourced from over 40 different art collectors around the world to create one of the most complete exhibitions of Banksy’s work in one space. The art pieces on display are mainly dated between the years 1997 to 2008, the period which resulted in Banksy’s most recognisable and well-known works.
Where: Queens Plaza, Brisbane City
When: from May 2023
Price: $36 for adults, $25 for children
2. Clay: Collected Ceramics
Discover the process behind clay art at Clay: Collected Ceramics.
Housed at Museum of Brisbane from now until October, this clay exhibition is a celebration of ceramics, with with single pieces of all shapes and sizes contributed by more than 300 makers.
Where: Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane City
When: until October 22
Price: Free
3. Dinosaurs of Patagonia
Come face to face with the largest land animals of all time at Dinosaurs of Patagonia, a massive dinosaur exhibition complete with 16 life-sized dino skeletons from South America.
Among the thirteen species showcased at the exhibition is the Patagotitan, the largest dinosaur in history which was discovered in 2008 and weighs in at a whopping 70 tonnes. Not sure what would survive if one of those came stomping through your backyard…
Joining the Patagotitan is the Tyrannotitan with its razor-sharp carnivorous teeth as well as the Herrerasaurus, one of the world’s earliest-known dinos.
Where: Queensland Museum, South Brisbane
When: until October 2
Price: $26 for adults, $15 for children
4. We Are Electric
Another free exhibition to add to your must-see art list is We Are Electric, an exploration of the concept of energy through installations, paintings, sculptures, video pieces and more.
The fascinating exhibition examines post-carbon possibilities on Earth, all the while pushing topics like climate change, and the importance of utilising renewable resources to the fore.
Where: UQ Art Museum
When: until June 24
Price: Free
5. Imaginaria
This immersive pop-up play space is the work of Loose Collective, a group of designers, architects, audiovisual artists and electronic producers who have teamed up with other creators, artists and producers to create a wonderland for the senses.
The specially designed spaces are meant to be part game, part gallery, and part journey that allows visitors to walk through and interact with. Thought of as an audio-visual journey from the future, Imaginaria has an anti-gravity space, shimmering light sculptures, a cosmic garden and a white bubble you can enter, as well as other experiences that will test your grasp on reality.
Where: Queensland Maritime Museum, South Brisbane
When: until June 30
Price: $29.95
6. Brisbane Art Design (BAD)
Now in its third year, Brisbane Art Design (BAD) is back for 2023 with a huge program of art exhibitions, installations, hands-on workshops, open studios, design talks and arty parties around Brisbane.
The theme for this year is Culture. Community. Clay, and the event highlights new commissioned clay works by daring local ceramicists Bonnie Hislop and Nicolette Johnson. The multi-art festival will also host exclusive dinners, fashion parades, laneway DJs and even chauffeured BAD bus tours.
Check out the 2023 program here.
Where: multiple locations around Brisbane
When: until May 28
Price: Free + ticketed events
7. Monet in Paris
From the team behind the immersive Van Gogh Alive exhibition comes a new multi-sensory experience celebrating Claude Monet and other renowned artists of the Impressionist era.
Making its worldwide debut in Brisbane, this must-see exhibition features awe-inspiring installations that sees art and technology joining forces as Monet’s iconic pieces are projected on a giant scale.
Where: Le Grand Palais, Northshore Brisbane, Hamilton
When: June 7 — August 6
Price: $39 for adults, $29 for children
8. LUMINOUS Lantern Parade
Now in its 16th year, LUMINOUS Lantern Parade is returning to Brisbane’s streets to light up the night with hundreds of lanterns of various sizes that celebrate our state’s culture and heritage, its people, places and industries.
Taking place during the week of Queensland Day, the LUMINOUS Lantern Parade is the perfect opportunity for Queenslanders to come together to help shine a light on multiculturalism.
Where: South Bank Piazza
When: June 9
Price: Free, RSVP
9. Swell Sculpture Festival
Queensland’s largest outdoor sculpture festival connects people, art and place.
Over ten days, Swell Sculpture Festival transforms the Gold Coast’s Currumbin Beach into one massive outdoor art gallery. And this year, the Swell team is celebrating with more than 70 colourful, eccentric, thought-provoking, head-turning, and head-scratching installations. Some of them will be for sale too.
The one-kilometre art exhibition on the sand is in its 21st year, which also boasts food stalls, live music, comedy, artist talks, and more.
Where: Currumbin Beach
When: September 8 —17
Price: Free
10. Fairy Tales
In this magical exhibition, artists, designers and filmmakers come together to explore the way fairy tales have shaped our society. Throughout the exhibition, you will be asked to question the traditional archetypal structures so often seen in fairy tales, with imagery such as the wicked witch and the beautiful princess put up for display and scrutiny.
The popular narratives and themes so familiar to us all will be looked at through a lens of shifting gender norms and otherness, with this exhibition that will make you see things in a way you might not have thought about before.
Where: Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)
When: December 2, 2023 — April 28, 2024
Price: TBA