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James Turrell set to illuminate GOMA with a spectacular light installation James Turrell set to illuminate GOMA with a spectacular light installation James Turrell set to illuminate GOMA with a spectacular light installation

James Turrell set to illuminate GOMA with a spectacular light installation

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rather large rock, you may have caught wind that our beloved Gallery of Modern Art is celebrating its tenth birthday this year. GOMA has been pulling out all the stops in a series of presents to the people, featuring everything from late-night concerts and sweet exhibitions to permanent art. The latest gift comes in the form of a breathtaking light installation from internationally acclaimed artist James Turrell, who is set to illuminate the building’s iconic facade.


This installation is more than just a special event – James Turrell’s creation will become a permanent fixture at GOMA. Billed to kick off in December this year, the architectural feat will truly maximise the potential of GOMA’s white box exterior as well as fulfilling head architects Kerry Clare, Lindsay Clare and James Jones’ original design intentions with the building. This work will see GOMA’s eastern and southern facades illuminated from within from dusk with an evolving pattern of light developed specifically by James for the location. It will shine as a beacon, visible from South Bank’s cultural precinct and from across the river to bring the building a new life after dark. The artwork is billed to become a ‘destination piece’, with hopes that it will attract international visitors.

James has created more than 80 ‘Skyspaces’ – that’s chambers with an aperture in the ceiling open to the sky, for the uninitiated – including Within without at Canberra’s National Gallery of Australia, and Amarna at the Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart. Since 1974, he has been working on a colossal project at Roden Crater, an extinct volcano in northern Arizona, whilst simultaneously creating works for public and private institutions in 24 countries. That’s a pretty serious CV!

All images are artist’s impressions provided by GOMA.



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