The APT7 - A Unique Art Exhibition

Living Together in Paradise by Nguyen Manh Hung.

Like many people, I often don't 'get' art, especially if it is abstract and confusing. After once standing perplexed in front of an enormous black canvas sporting only a red dot in the middle, I decided that modern art was not for me. I have to admit, though, that I really enjoyed the 7^th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, an exhibition that comes to life every 3 years since its establishment in 1993. In fact, I liked it so much that I went back a second time! 

Japanese mirror image art work

This year marks the 20^th anniversary of the APT. As the QAGOMA website states,  'It is the only major exhibition series in the world to focus exclusively on the contemporary art of Asia, the Pacific and Australia'. Occupying the entire Gallery of Modern Art, known as the GOMA in Brisbane, the art works were unique and thought provoking, demonstrating themes relevant to the 27 countries of the 75 artists who participated. 



I liked the various materials used for the art works, often waste items such as shoe soles, rusted iron, cardboard boxes and plastic bags. I thought this highlighted the themes of struggle, development, change and diversity that many countries in the Asia Pacific face and which the artists tried to convey in their works. 

Massive sculpture made from painted cardboard boxes

Some were highly creative and inspiring, like the building in the clouds by the Vietnamese artist Nguyen Manh Hung. Others were more obscure and made good talking points, like the 'benchpress' below.

I have posted only some of my favourite works that I got to see in this blog. There were many more that I saw and loved! 

A benchpress? Fireballs? Hmm....

An entire room painted in Persian