Transparent: Watercolour In Queensland 1850-1880

Transparent: Watercolour in Queensland 1850s -1980s is an important and fascinating exhibition of the rarely seen watercolours that depict Queensland’s visual history.

Taken from the QAG collection, the Transparent collection, with its striking breadth and diversity, is more than a showcase of great artworks (some that have never been seen) but an important record of an era that dates back to Queensland’s colonial origins.

The artworks are divided into four main sections: colonial and late 19th century, watercolour developments in the early 20th century, wartime watercolours and the more recent local development of expressionism.

From the colonial era are significant paintings by prolific British-born landscape artist Conrad Martens and Harriet Jane Neville-Rolfe, who spent some time on an outback property in Qld with her brothers in the mid to late 1800s.

Turn of the century works are by J J Hilder (who spent time at a Queensland sanatorium due to ill health) and iconic artist Vida Lahey and mid 20th century paintings by prolific artist WG Grant and Kenneth MacQueen (one of Australia’s most respected water colourists).

Other highlights include Brisbane artist Joy Roggenkamp’s vibrant expressionist paintings and the extraordinary works by leading Aboriginal artist Joe Rootsey, who was one of the first indigenous artists in Queensland to be recognised as a contemporary artist.

Opening Weekend: Join in the free launch events on Mar 22 which include:

 In-Conversation: reflecting on the region with Associate Curator Michael Hawker and Qld heritage expert Glenn Cooke at QAG Gallery 4, 12pm.

Conservation talk: Bringing watercolour to light with Conservator Samantha Shellard at QAG Lecture Theatre 1 pm

Sunday Insights: At Selected Sundays monthly gain fascinating insights to the exhibition via these talks at Gallery 4, QAG:

Explorations of Country: Joe Rootsey – Curator of Indigenous Australian Art Bruce McLean explores in depth the stunning watercolours of Joe Rootsey. Apr 13 1.30

Working with waterpaper colour: Conservator Samantha Shellard offers specialist insights into the medium of waterpaper colour on International Museum Day. May 18 2.30.