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. 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), South Brisbane
When: until April 28, 2024
Price: $28 for adults, $10 for kids
2. Jurassic World by Brickman
Featuring more than 6 million LEGO bricks and more than 50 large-scale LEGO creations, visitors to Brickman’s Jurassic World will first be greeted by the iconic Jurassic World gates that stand at an impressive four metres tall.
The truly immersive LEGO experience will bring you up close and personal with everything from a two-tonne LEGO Brachiosaurus to the famous Velociraptors – Blue and Delta, and of course the legendary T-Rex.
Where: Queensland Museum, South Brisbane
When: until July 14, 2024
Price: $19.90 – $29.90
3. Italian Renaissance Alive
Come March, head down to the Gold Coast for HOTA’s next major exhibition. The Italian Renaissance Alive experience is set to be a visual delight, with larger-than-life projections and installations for an immersive journey through one of the most significant artistic periods in history.
Where: HOTA, Gold Coast
When: March 30 – August 4, 2024
Price: $39 per person
4. Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition (coming soon)
After dazzling Melbourne residents, The Princess Diana Accredited Access Exhibition will be making a stop in Brisbane on its Australian tour. For the first time, world-famous royal photographers Anwar Hussein and his two sons Zak and Samir, share their experiences with the iconic princess and her family. Hear first-hand accounts of the stories behind the iconic images, and see Princess Diana in a whole new light.
The waitlist is now open, and you can sign up to be one of the first to gain access to the exclusive presale. With presale tickets available a day before the general sale begins, you’ll have the chance to get your hands on tickets before anyone else and be amongst the very first visitors to Brisbane’s newest, royal attraction.
Where: TBA
When: TBA
Price: TBA
5. Rearranged: Art of the Flower
A stunning flower exhibition is on display at the Museum of Brisbane, where you can take a look at a lush collection of paintings, textiles, sculptures, ceramics and new media from more than 20 established and emerging local artists.
The collection features floral-themed pieces from renowned artists such as Margaret Olley, Vida Lahey, William Bustard, Tony Johnson, Frank Waldo Potts, William Grant, Tony Johnson and Dorothy Thornhill, alongside local contemporaries Michael Zavros, Keith Burt, John Honeywill, Bronwyn Searle and Judith Sinnamon.
The exhibition encompasses a range of viewpoints from queer, multicultural, and First Nations creatives, emphasizing the connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities to Country, as well as the universal fascination with the flower.
Where: Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane City
When: until August 11, 2024
Price: free
6. NBA Exhibition
The first official NBA exhibition has begun its tour in Australia, with its first stop in Brisbane. This extensive look into the world of basketball is now open at Queens Plaza.
Over 50 pieces of rare and autographed NBA merchandise are on display throughout the exhibition. Fans will also have the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with items that have played a significant role in shaping the league’s history.
Where: Queens Plaza, Brisbane City
When: until March 2, 2024
Price: free
7. Departure
Their exhibition Departure explores the migrant experience, with crowd-sourced family photographs crafted into paper kites. The pieces share the emotions of taking a leap into the unknown and letting the wind carry you.
Where: Museum of Brisbane
When: until June 7
Price: free
8. Nearly Midnight
To add to the fairy tales-inspired fun around Brisbane at the moment is this giant slipper installation from Rachel Burke, great for a photo opportunity with family and friends.
Where: Brisbane Quarter, ground level
When: until March 27, 2024
Price: free
9. The Castle of Tarragindi
Australian artist Natalya Hughes has created this exhibition inspired by French designer Jean Bérain. The Castle of Tarragindi features a striking blue and white colours, and puts Australian flora and fauna into the spotlight.
Where: GOMA, South Brisbane
When: until July 14, 2024
Price: free
10. 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 22nd year, which also boasts food stalls, live music, comedy, artist talks, and more.
Where: Currumbin Beach
When: September 6 – 15
Price: Free