Brisbane’s visual arts scene is burgeoning. There is a plethora of exhibiting galleries which are great places to browse or discover emerging and established artists. You can dip your toe into the art world and always find something extraordinary.
Exhibiting galleries
Of course, the most well-known of Brisbane’s galleries is the beautiful Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA to those in the know). Like a kaleidoscope, its colourful exhibits constantly change to challenge or amuse us all. GoMA fast established itself as the number one destination to see art in Brisbane. Even if you won’t see any other art gallery in Brisbane, you must see GoMA. Its neighbour, the Queensland Art Gallery (QAG), is always worth a visit too and is the home to some wonderful permanent displays as well as changing exhibitions. The public programs at both GoMA and QAG are fantastic.
Other exhibiting galleries include:
- QUT Art Museum
- William Robinson Gallery (in Old Government House)
- Museum of Brisbane (MoB) in City Hall
- DELL Gallery @ Queensland College of Art Gallery at South Bank - 226 Grey Street - free admission and changing exhibitions
Buying art
If you are in the market to buy beautiful art, wander through the suburbs of Fortitude Valley and New Farm to discover some of the best galleries in Queensland:
- Jan Murphy Gallery - 486 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley - contemporary art by established and emerging Australian artists.
- Phillip Bacon Gallery - 2 Arthur Street (just off Brunswick St), Fortitude Valley.
- gallery artisan - 381 Brunswick Street - curated by Craft Queensland, you'll see crafted design work such as jewellery, textiles, ceramics and glass. Some works can by purchased.
- Libby Edwards Gallery - 482 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley.
- Institute of Modern Art - 420 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley (in the Judith Wright Centre)
- Edwina Corlette Gallery - 555 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley.
- Heiser Gallery - 90 Arthur Street, Fortitude Valley - Australian works from 1920 onwards.
- Fireworks Gallery - 52A Doggett Street, New Farm - indigenous and non-indigenous artists.
- Suzanne O'Connell Gallery - 93 James Street, New Farm - Specialists in Australian Indigenous art from Papunya Tula, Yuendumu, Balgo Hills, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Tiwi Islands, Maningrida and Yirrkala.
- Red Sea Gallery - 31 James Street, New Farm.
- Emporium Gallery of Fine Art - 1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley.
- Graydon Gallery - 29 Merthyr Road, New Farm - exhibition space for hire by artists in Brisbane's gallery precinct.
Other places to see artworks not too far from the city include:
Paddington Gallery precinct
- Percolator Gallery
- Kiln Gallery Paddington
- Charles Ginn Gallery
- Robyn Bauer Studio Gallery
- Red Hill Gallery
Other galleries
- Joshau Levi Gallery - 41 Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba (at the old antique shop).
- Flipbook Gallery - 8 Greet Street, West End.
- Jugglers art space - an exhibition and performance space, with studios for upcoming artists. Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley.
- Circle Gallery - 274 Montague Road, West End - an artist-run space that can be rented without commission.
- Oriel Gallery - 139 Oriel Road, Ascot - housed in a renovated Queenslander, they offer art workshops too.
- Woolloongabba Art Gallery - 613 Stanley Street (across the road from the Mater Hospital).
- Martin Galleries - Aspinall Street, Nundah.
- Ipswich Art Gallery - Nicholas Street, Ipswich City - admission is free to Queensland's largest regional gallery.
- Bella Art Gallery - Shop 14, Spring Lake Metro, Springfield Lakes - they offer art lessons too.
Check out our directory, with the many listings of art galleries and art dealers.
And don't miss who's exhibiting where. Take a look through our calendar for free arts events.
