The Weekend Edition - Sleep In. Slow Down. Enjoy.

Walking on sunshine – MoB’s newest exhibition City in the Sun shines a ray on Brisbane’s subtropical image Walking on sunshine – MoB’s newest exhibition City in the Sun shines a ray on Brisbane’s subtropical image Walking on sunshine – MoB’s newest exhibition City in the Sun shines a ray on Brisbane’s subtropical image Walking on sunshine – MoB’s newest exhibition City in the Sun shines a ray on Brisbane’s subtropical image Walking on sunshine – MoB’s newest exhibition City in the Sun shines a ray on Brisbane’s subtropical image Walking on sunshine – MoB’s newest exhibition City in the Sun shines a ray on Brisbane’s subtropical image Walking on sunshine – MoB’s newest exhibition City in the Sun shines a ray on Brisbane’s subtropical image Walking on sunshine – MoB’s newest exhibition City in the Sun shines a ray on Brisbane’s subtropical image

Walking on sunshine – MoB’s newest exhibition City in the Sun shines a ray on Brisbane’s subtropical image

As we experience what us Queenslanders refer to as ‘Arctic conditions’, it seems like the perfect time for reminiscing on long summer days. If you're keen to warm up over illustrations of pool parties, pineapples and bikini-clad babes, then you'll be happy to hear that Museum of Brisbane's newest exhibition City in the Sun is set to take the temperature up a notch. Opening at MoB on Saturday June 19, the sizzling showcase tackles our city's subtropical image – from the inner-city beaches that border the Brisbane River to the frangipani-lined streets.


Queensland is known as the Sunshine State, so it’s only natural that Brisbane is referred to as the ‘city in the sun’. Museum of Brisbane’s newest exhibition (which just so happens to be free) dissects this nickname and uncovers Brisbane’s subtropical image through a red-hot display of large-scale contemporary artworks alongside historical imagery. The sun-soaked showcase will feature newly commissioned works from homegrown artists Kinly Grey, Christopher Bassi, Laura Patterson, Rachael Sarra, Sam Tupou, Sebastian Moody, Holly Anderson and Rachel Burke coupled with works by Gerwyn Davies, Michael Zavros, Tracey Moffatt, Scott Redford and Olive Ashworth.

Art thrill-seekers will be able to travel back in time by watching the 1954 film Brisbane – City in the Sun, marvel at ‘Sunshine Psychology’, a large-scale light and text work by leading Brisbane artist Sebastian Moody and experience Kinly Grey’s interactive light work, which unveils event-goers body heat in real time. If you want to soak up some real rays, MoB’s backyard will be completely revamped by tinsel queen Rachel Burke and will feature a colourful playground full of flower beds, a tinsel sky, a garden swing, a bicycle and even a cubby house all adorned in Rachel’s signature sparkled style. To learn more about City in the Sun, hop over to the Museum of Brisbane website.

Image credits:
Tracey Moffatt, First Jobs, Selling Aluminium Siding 1978 from the series ‘First Jobs’ 2008, edition of 20. Courtesy the artist and Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney.

Art Colour Transfer Company Pty Ltd, Story Bridge Brisbane date unknown, sticker. Gift of Leanne Kelly 2013, Museum of Brisbane Collection.
Gerwyn Davies, Island 2017, inkjet print. Courtesy the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery.
Oasis Swimming Pool, Sunnybank 1951, Photograph. Courtesy Brisbane City Council Archives.

This article was written in partnership with our friends at Museum of Brisbane. 

To find out more about what’s on in Brisbane, head to our Event Guide.



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