Many of us spent countless nights of our youth being read fairytales to help lull us to sleep, so it’s only natural that we have a fascination for magical-filled fictional stories. QAGOMA’s new exhibition, Fairy Tales, will explore our collective love for romantic fables and captivating yarns by showcasing the way visual storytellers draw on fairytale narratives to entrance, delight and disconcert audiences. The spellbinding showcase will highlight the archetypal figures we know so well — wicked witches, stalwart princes and princesses, and magical animals – through paintings, sculptures, drawings, installations, films, fashion and much more. You’ll be mesmerised by artworks and installations from leading international and Australian artists including Yayoi Kusama, Jana Sterbak, Kiki Smith, Patricia Piccinni, Abdul Abdullah, Ron Mueck and Charles Blackman.
Fairy Tales explores prominent narrative themes – from coming-of-age struggles to tales of bravery and justice in the face of hardship. Expect to come face to face with majestic mirrors, castles and coaches, and at least one pumpkin during your stroll through the gallery. Fairy Tales will also include a spectacular commission by Brazilian artist Henrique Oliveira that is set to transform the architecture of GOMA into a gnarled and twisted woodland. Whether you fell head over heels for Cinderella, wished you could drink tea with the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland or you hope to be kissed by a charming prince like in Snow White, you’ll love this enchanting exhibition. Fairy Tales is coming to GOMA from December 2, 2023 to April 28, 2024. For more information head to the GOMA website.
Image credit: Henrique Oliveira, Brazil b.1973 / Installation view of Baitogogo 2013, Palais de Tokyo, Paris / Plywood and tree branches / Courtesy: SAM Art Projects, Galerie GP&N Vallois, Galeria Millan / © Henrique Oliveira / Photograph: André Morin / This work is indicative of a new commission by Henrique Oliveira for the ‘Fairy Tales’ exhibition at QAGOMA
