12 13 ARTLINES 3 | 2025 NEWS ART STUDENTS PAY ATTENTION AT DESIGN TRACKS The Gallery’s Design Tracks program returned to Cairns in May. This two-day immersive residential program builds career pathways and creates networking opportunities for First Nations senior secondary art and design students. This year, students from five Far North Queensland schools were mentored by artists Aven Noah Jr (Komet people, Mer (Murray Island)), Darren Blackman (GurengGureng/Gangalu/South Sea Islander people from Vanuatu); Peggy Kasabad Lane (Saibai Koedal Awgadhalayg/ Sager Gubalayg people from Guda Maluylgal Nation in Zenadth); and Sheryl J Burchill (Kuku Yalanji/Kuku Nyungkal people). The program included visits to galleries and art centres in Cairns, as well as trips to culturally significant sites like the Babina Boulders. Students worked in groups on projects centred on the theme of the 2025 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair: ‘PAY ATTENTION’. CHANGING OF THE GUARD FOR GALLERY BOARD At the end of June, the Gallery farewelled longstanding Chair of its Board of Trustees, Professor Emeritus Ian O’Connor AC. Over three terms and more than eight years, the Gallery has benefited immeasurably from Ian’s steady counsel and untiring advocacy in support of its role in the community. His astute backing has been invaluable, as have his thoughtful relationships with government, donors, corporate partners, and many other stakeholders. Gallery highlights during this period have included the record-breaking ‘Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe’ and weathering the COVID-19 pandemic, during which major exhibitions ‘The Motorcycle’ and ‘European Masterpieces from the Met’ were successful even amid challenging circumstances. During this time, he also steered the Gallery during three editions of the Asia Pacific Triennial and the presentation of a a roster of stellar Australian and international artists from Gerhard Richter to Judy Watson. He was critical to the establishment of the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Charitable Trust, a truly transformative bequest that has bolstered Queensland’s collection with works by Tommy Lowry, Fiona Hall, Tacita Dean and Olafur Eliasson. As Professor O’Connor departs, the Gallery welcomes its new Chair, Paul Taylor. A great supporter of QAGOMA, and one who has also served on the board since 2017, Paul is deeply engaged with the visual, literary and performing arts in Brisbane. He has long a record of leadership in finance and philanthropy, including his role as Chair of the QAGOMA Foundation’s ‘Unlock the Collection’ campaign, which successfully raised over $5 million to increase digital access to the Collection. Paul’s great generosity is recognised with the Eric and Marion Taylor Gallery at GOMA, named for his parents, and he was the recipient of the 2022 Philanthropy Leadership Award from Creative Partnerships Australia. The Gallery looks forward to working even more closely with Paul in his new role. Paul Taylor / Photograph: Natasha Harth Participants in Design Tracks, Cairns, May 2025 / Photograph: Chloë Callistemon FUTURE COLLECTIVE ARTIST DINNER: CELEBRATING TEN YEARS The Future Collective gathered in July to toast to a decade of impact at a special anniversary artist dinner in GOMA’s Long Gallery. Guests took in a curatorial overview and exclusive after-hours access to ‘Wonderstruck’, with a making activity, artwork activations, and exclusive dinner in the Long Gallery. THE ART OF BEQUEST PLANNING In June, members of the Gallery community attended a panel discussion and information session exploring the significant impact of well-planned bequests on arts organisations and how these generous legacies are stewarded and acknowledged by QAGOMA. The session was followed by morning tea overlooking the river in GOMA’s River Lounge. The Schubert Circle, named in honour of Win Schubert AO, one of the Gallery’s greatest supporters, recognises those who have notified the Gallery that they have generously left a gift to QAGOMA in their Will. For further information on including a gift to the Gallery in your Will, please contact [email protected]. Kenneth Macqueen’s The tank c.1950 (Purchased 1999. Ivy Lillian Walton Bequest) features in ‘Under a Modern Sun: Art in Queensland 1930s–1950s’, currently on display at QAG Future Collective members and their guests at the Future Collective 10th Anniversary Artist Dinner, GOMA, July 2025 / Photographs: Claudia Baxter
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