With food and pop-up bars, performances and the technicolour glow of the iconic James Turrell light installation, QAGOMA’s Up Late events have always embodied a sense of whimsy and wonder – and this new exhibition will be no exception. Opening its doors in December, Fairy Tales has delighted Brisbane with a curated collection of artworks, installations and artefacts that bring childhood stories to life. The theme has offered Up Late organisers a unique opportunity to delve into nostalgia, magic and storytelling for an exciting all-ages program.
“Audiences can really choose their own adventure because there is so much on offer,” shares public programs coordinator, Hannah Grzesiak, “The key to our Up Late events is that we offer audiences immersive and surprising experiences where music and art can merge.”
Throughout exhibition spaces, attendees can experience live performances from the ye olde instrumented band Once Upon a Chime – led by singer Patience Hodgson from The Grates, and featuring harpist Lake Kelly and guitarist Joel Woods. You can also trip to the dark side with a side-splitting show from a bona fide baddie at Villain’s Tale. Alongside these spellbinding performances, find a stacked line-up of artists taking to the pop-up stages. This year welcomes the likes of Maple Glider, fresh off the back of her critically acclaimed new album, prolific Aussie polymath Methyl Ethel and indie artists Elizabeth, ZZADE and Tjaka. Get ready to have a boogie on the dance floor with DJ Hol Hibbo, DJ Aunty Stan and DJ Zed Mero spinning tunes until late and drinks flowing from an array of pop-up bars.
If this immersion into otherworldly art has you hankering to create some yourself – drop in at the Animal Attributes workshop, designed by Fairy Tales artist Abdul Abdullah. This beginner-style workshop lets you create a collage-style self-portrait, inspired by the folktale tradition of hybrid animal-humans.
While this late-night event makes the already high-culture realm of art feel even more exclusive, Up Late wants to craft the ultimate cultural night out for all its gallery-goers. “We program to appeal to a broad range of the Brisbane community,” Hannah said. “Up Late offers audiences a setting to let down their hair a bit, eat, drink and experience the Gallery in a more social setting.”
Kicking off at 6:00 pm, you can explore the exhibition alongside this fun-filled agenda of culture and connection until 10:30 pm. Secure your tickets via the QAGOMA website.
