By Georgia Parsonson
In conjunction with the QUT Art Museum’s ‘On Earth’ exhibition, the Brisbane Art Design (BAD) festival will host a free event in the City Botanical Gardens, covering the challenges that climate change creates for us and the environment.
‘Speaking Up: Responding to On Earth’ will be hosted by writer, comedian, and actor Steven Oliver, and the event will see a variety of artists, writers, and performers take to the stage to respond to the ‘On Earth’ exhibition in 10-minute intervals.
Speakers include Yuwaalaraay performer Madi Simpson, exhibition artists Keemon Williams, Kinky Grey and Sancintya Mohini Simpson. The team behind Transhumance Saunter will join them: Multi-Species Storytelling in Brisbane, AgapetosFa’aleava, Lan Thanh Ha, NaputsamohnJunpibanand Natasha Narain and Kavita Gonsalves.
‘On Earth’ Curator, Sarah Werkmeister, said the event was an extension of the themes expressed within the exhibition.
“Developed as a response to issues around climate change and an increasing awareness of peoples’ relationship with nature, ‘On Earth’ examines the role of art and culture in relation to our understanding of the environment,” Ms Werkmeister said.
“It features works from the QUT Art Collection, including a stunning painting by the late Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori (1924-2015), alongside contemporary and historical Australian works, exploring themes around the representation of the land, the exploitation of nature, and human experience—cognitive and physical—to posit that art has indeed been at the forefront of shaping everyday opinions of landscape and the environment.”
‘On Earth’ exhibits the work of several contemporary Australian artists across mediums, including sculpture, photography, film and painting.
Also exhibited are watercolours from Hermannsburg artists Claude Pannka (1928-1972) and Jillian Namatjira (1949-1991), granddaughter of Albert Namatjira, along with a variety of historical works from Brisbane and beyond.
‘On Earth’ runs from the 27th of March to the 6th of June 2021.
‘Speaking Up: Responding to On Earth’ commences at 2:00 pm at the Botanic Stage. Admission is free, but places are limited. Book your place here: https://brisbaneartdesign.com.au/events/speaking-up/